Search - Jana Robbins :: Face To Face

Funny and tuneful

Mark Falconer | New York, NY | 10/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"And really, what more could you ask for from a musical comedy? Almost every single song in Oh, Brother! is top-drawer material, in both music and lyrics. Composer Michael Valenti manages to draw lush ballads ("How Do You Want Me?" "I To The World") as well as raucous comedy numbers for the chorus ("Revolution" and "It's A Man's World") from this material every bit as well as Richard Rodgers did back in the 1930s with The Boys From Syracuse. The music covers a variety of styles, from barbershop to pop, mixed with a twinge of "Eastern" sounding music.



The lyrics, by Donald Driver, are just as clever. Somehow Driver manages to be funny and completely true to the characters. For instance, in "How Do You Want Me," Saroyana's pathos and desperation come through in such hilarious lines as "How do you want me - pale or pink/Upon the hour? Up on the sink?" Yes, we laugh, but it's really quite sad that this woman is reduced to begging her man to love her.



And the cast is simply incredible. Full of Broadway stars back when they were just beginning their careers, Judy Kaye, David Carrol, Harry Groener, and Mary Mastrantonio are all terrific in this show. There are a few cases of overacting among the supporting roles, but it's excusable in a show of this nature.



I know that it's difficult to take a chance buying a show album unheard (what if you end up with another Walking Happy?), but I promise you that this CD is completely enjoyable."

A loud and funny album

Kurt S. Owens | Indianapolis, IN | 11/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, the reviewers trashed this show, but the matinee preview audience I was seated with LOVED it. Fast, loud, and funny with an attitude exemplified by the first night program title page in ARABIC! That attitude pervades every number in the exceptional score presented by the entire exceptional cast. The score is bright, the lyrics witty and knowing and the performances stellar. Of particular note is the 11th hour number "A Loud and Funny Song," and the title song. It's fun, full of great performances (can enough be said about Judy Kaye?) and well worth the investment."

Oh Brother! What a Joy!

Mark Falconer | 07/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A fun musical that is not afraid to be silly while it is both musically clever and cute. The Valenti/Driver team has done us all a disservice by not following-up this true musical comedy with many others."