2B NEWS & PUBLIC OPINION October 15, 2008 __ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS— Musical ‘Cafe’ doesn’t need a storyline to move audience

By DENNIS THOMPSON______portrayed. for a cute rendition of You’re the Boss. on weeknights). Heads were nodding and Stephano’s staging of the supporting suits in feet were tapping throughout. Suburban News Theater Critic D. Glen Vander­ bilt’s set is black Shoppin’ For Clothes is quite fun. The woman next to me was swaying so Otterbein College Theatre offers Smokey floor, black back There are program notes that try to estab­ hard I thought she’d fall into me. My chair Joe’s Cafe, a retrospective of the musical wall with red neon lish a framework, as a high school reunion was vibrating as the row behind me was tap­ works of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ remembering the past, showing moments of ping their feet so hard. Maybe those names are not familiar to sign. A black half life experiences. It’s that kind of show; no dialogue, just you, but their music probably is. Leiber and wall shields Music These frameworks may be helpful for the one well staged hit after another. This is Stoller wrote 24 songs recorded by Elvis REVIEW Director Dennis back stories during the rehearsal process, breezy and charming. Presley, half written specifically for him. Davenport and his but they mean nothing to us and we see The duo also wrote for the Drifters, the six-piece orchestra none of it. So why even mention it - this is Otterbein College Theatre's Smokey Coasters and a variety of groups and indi­ who are centered throughout and provide simply a revue of songs and that’s fine, as Joe’s Cafe continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays viduals beginning in the 1950s with the the accompaniment. it’s snappy, nostalgic and entertaining. through Saturdays through Oct. 25 at the golden age of rock and roll, continuing into The company consists of Barbara Jo Bed- The opening night audience was primari­ Campus Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St., the 1980s. narczuk, Troy Burton, Matt Johnson, Kolby ly the age of those who grew up with this Westerville. Tickets are $20. For more infor­ If you’re old enough to have followed Kindle, Sara King, Kari Ringer, Caitlin music (Otterbein students apparently study mation call 614-823-1109. rock and roll over the past half century, rec­ Scott, Cesar Anthony Villavicencio, Trenton ognizing the music but not always aware of Weaver, and Angel Young. who wrote it, this may surprise you. Would An early number. Young Blood, seems LIBRARY NOTES you have thought that Hound Dog and Jail appropriate. While several members of the House Rock were written by the same team company have had supporting roles in past Upcoming programs at the Westerville MANGA AND ANIME CLUB who penned Yakety Yak, Love Potion No. 9, Otterbein productions, with the notable ex­ Public Library, 126 S. State St., are listed This group for teens will be screening On Broadway, I’m a Woman, and Stand By ception of Ringer, there are many fresh below. If registration is required, or more in­ Me'? faces stepping forward here in a significant FullmetalAlchemist (episodes 4-6) from 4:30 formation is needed, call 614-882-7277 or to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 17 and 31. The claim that Leiber and Stoller “virtu­ way. visit westervillelibrary. org. ally invented rock and roll” could be easily There are no weak links; each performer argued. brings their own style and vocal tenor to MOVIES AT THE LIBRARY A vibrant, fresh-faced cast of 10 Otter­ their numbers and each has their moments COMPUTER CLASSES Movies for children ages 6 and older, to be bein students drives nonstop (well, there is to shine. Each time I think to single one out, Beginning computer classes offered for held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, include: an intermission) through 39 Leiber and another comes on equally strong. adults are listed. Registration is required. Mint’s Island, Oct. 18; and Flicka, Nov. 1. Stoller numbers - some more familiar than I will note that Young has perhaps the Internet - 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Children of all ages are invited to watch others, but all entertaining. strongest voice for sheer vocal power, with E-mail: One on One - 2 to 4:30 p.m. Peter Pan at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20; and Director John Stefano ensures an ener­ Johnson nearly as robust among the males. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Spirited Away, 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 24 for ages 8 getic pace, animated expressions, playful King and Ringer often bring a fervent sen­ Word - 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 or 30. and older. energy and some clever staging touches. suality, particularly on their duet of Trouble. Computers - 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 or 6; 6 to Bring snacks, pillows and blankets. Sue Sauer’s choreography leans heavily on Weaver contributes a classic bass voice to 8 p.m. Nov. 5. 1950s she-bop, but that’s the main era being several numbers and combines with Ringer PIZZA TASTE-OFF SATURDAY TALES To celebrate National Pizza Month teens Stories for the entire family are held are invited to guess where each pizza came from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. from in a blind taste test from 3 to 4 p.m. Sat- Col’S .D5 iSDAY, FEBRUARY lO, 2009

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The cast of Smokey Joe’s Cafe, clockwise from Cesar ViUavicencio, Kolby Kindle, Trenton Weaver and IVoy Burton I Group honors Otterbein, Senior Repert ory shows

Smokey Joe’s Cafe from Otterbein round pr. gramming and gener­ ations of volunteer support. College Theatre and Tuesdays With Other citations went to the Morrie from Senior Repertory of Columbus Association for the Per­ Ohio Theatre Company were forming Arts and Contempor^ among the big winners during the American Theatre Company, for weekend in the annual theater the Indian-Sri Lankan tour of A awards for central Ohio. Midsummer Night’s Dream; and The Otterbein AvaUable Light Theatre, for its and Senior Rep "pay-what-you-can policy. shows shared top The awards were presented at honors as the the Jewish Community Center. outstanding pro­ The Central Ohio Theatre Cri^s ductions of 2008 Circle includes reviewers froni Tne — recognized by Other Paper, Suburban New Publi­ the Theatre cations, WOSU, Alive! and The Roundtable, a con­ Dispatch. sortium of about For a full report, visit the Theater two dozen theater Talk blog at Dispatch.com/blogs. companies in the Randy area. Skiimer Lecture rescheduled Choreographer A lecture by Bryan Knicely on and director Randy “State of the Arts of Columbus has Skinner, a two-time Tony nominee who returned to Broadway this been rescheduled for 7:30 P-n^- March 19 at Columbus School tor season with a holiday run of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, picked up Girls, 56 S. Columbia Ave., Bexley. the Roy Bowen Lifetime Achieve­ The sustaining board of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of ment Award from the Central Ohio Columbus will present the talk by Theatre Critics Circle. the Greater Columbus Arts Council Little Theatre Off Broadway of Grove City, celebrating its 50th president as part of its Mac anniversary this season, received a Anderson lecture series. Tickets cost $20, with proceeds critics’ citation (and one of the previously announced Harold to benefit the orchestra. For more information, call 614-464-0066. Awards) for setting an example — From staff reports “with its longevity, stability, yeair-