Review: "A Grand Night For Singing -- Otterbein Summer Theatre

  Otterbein Summer Theatre closes its 50^th anniversary season with The Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical review “A Grand Night For Singing”.  This compilation features some of the best songs from the twelve-year collaboration (1945 to 1957), of this legendary duo, including pieces from “Carousel”, “Oklahoma”,  “Cinderella”, “The King And I”, “South Pacific” as well as melodies from some of their lesser known works such as “State Fair”, “Allegro” and “Flower Drum Song”.

   Otterbein students Aubree Tally, Daria Redus, Abigail Isom, Jordan T. Wood and Trey Plutnicki sing, dance and cavort across the stage with energy and style in their beautiful renderings of these great tunes.

    Director David Caldwell has done a great job of keeping a light mood and good pace as befits the occasion of this kind of beautiful summer evening’s entertainment. 

  Rob Johnson’s setting on the Riley Auditorium stage is reminiscent of a gazebo in a park with the band framed on a wooden platform against a starry backdrop. 

   Music Director Dennis Davenport and his four-piece orchestra provide just the right touches to support and enhance the outpouring of this delicious music.  Doc Davis’s sound is well-balanced.  Andy Baker’s mix of lighting over and around the gazebo, enhanced by follow spots, enhances and adds to beautiful stage pictures without overpowering the action. 

    Stella Hiatt Kane’s choreography adds to the energy, charm and grace of the various moments. 
   The costuming from Julia Ferreri features colorful, elegant cocktails dresses and evening gowns for the ladies and white dinner jackets, tux and tails for the gentlemen.

   There are many fun, beautiful, uplifting moments with the various songs. “Shall We Dance”, “Hello Young Lovers” and the funny, whimsical “Honey Bun” were highlights for me.  “Love Look Away” is a personal, sentimental favorite for me.  Wood’s strong, passionate rendering of it does not  disappoint.  
   The enthusiastic applause following almost every song indicated that others in the audience enjoyed this as much as I did.

   I have seen several productions of this show.  Though I must confess a certain bias, I believe that Otterbein’s production is the best.