You have to wonder why Shadow Theatre went to all that trouble to build swank new digs in Aurora if they were just going to blow the roof off the joint.
Musical revues don’t get much more smokin’ than “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.” And in look, feel and silky sweet sound, they don’t get much more infectiously fun than Shadow’s heartfelt and high-energy new staging.
Michael Jordan said, “Just Do It.” Shadow says, “Just Do-Wop It.”
Shadow founder Jeffrey Nickelson is our featured vocalist, flanked by a spirited ensemble of 10 mostly newcomers ranging from 30-year stage veterans to college students. All of them can sing. Most of them can move. And when the great Ciarra Teasley leads the hand-clapping anthem, “Saved,” perhaps she can summon God himself.
This all-for-fun and fun-for-all revue played Broadway from 1995-2000; nothing more than a smartly arranged collection of 38 “can you top that?” rock ‘n’ R&B hits written by the unlikely songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller — two Jewish white guys who infused pop music with soul and color.
In the absence of pretension or conceit, our tough exteriors melt to a relentless succession of hits that are as notable for their place in rock history as for the vocalists who put them there — names like the Drifters, the Coasters, Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, Peggy Lee and Aretha Franklin.
This musical doesn’t need much more to sell it than a song list that starts (but hardly ends) with “(In the) Neighborhood,” “Spanish Harlem,” “Hound Dog,” “Kansas City,” “Stand By Me,” “On Broadway” and “There Goes My Baby,” but just as many lesser-known songs stand out.
Unlike a misguided recent Frank Sinatra revue in Littleton, Hugo Jon Sayles’ staging is a whirlwind of perpetual motion. The songs tell their own stories, but these characters are consistent and knowable throughout.
The premise is simple: Nickelson is a bartender at closing time. When he opens a scrapbook of memories, it comes alive before him as he (and the audience) ruminate about a time gone by.
The cast struts and seduces, emotes and tickles, but what most lingers afterward is the absolute love that envelops their every note. It’s evident in ever-present smiles from human electricity generator Seth Michael (“Searching”) and adorable Lynette Holmes teaming up with her powerful castmates on “I’m a Woman.”
Shahadah James leads those same women in a commanding version of “Trouble” that will make every man in the ZIP code behave. And by the time Nickelson leads the nattily attired and sunglass-donning men in a “Jersey Boys”-like “On Broadway,” we’re signed, sealed delivered. And it’s not even intermission.
Even the gimmick tunes like “Poison Ivy,” “Charlie Brown,” “Yakety Yak” and “Love Potion No. 9” are winking fun.
Sayles’ production is complemented in every way by a superb design team: Michael R. Duran’s sleek, urban set at dusk; Linda Morken’s increasingly more elegant costumes; Karalyn Star Pytel’s exquisitely timed special lighting effects; and Brian Freeland’s miraculous balancing act in mixing the miked vocals with Michael Williams’ fine onstage four-piece band.
Janice Guy Sayles’ fluid choreography stays within the means of the individuals in her company, allowing aces like Joey Santos to shine while not exposing those not up to his ability.
This is just a classy, irresistible evening that ends with a deserved standing ovation that begins before the final song even ends.
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
“Smokey Joe’s Cafe” ***1/2 (out of four stars)
Rock & R&B revue. Presented by Shadow Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Songs by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Directed by Hugo Jon Sayles. Through March 21. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and Feb. 23; 3 p.m. Sundays. $26 ($15 Thursdays). 720-857-8000 or
Weekend best bet: “Trojan Women”
Through Feb. 22 only, Naropa University’s MFA students are staging Jean-Paul Sartre’s adaptation of Euripides’ classic anti-war tale. The play is contextualized into the current media age, where maintaining integrity of self in the face of the horror in the world is a difficult task. This multimedia approach integrates song and dance in collaboration with acclaimed New York-based composer Cynthia Hopkins and CU dance faculty instructor Onye Ozuzu. Remaining performances: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the University of Colorado’s Atlas Center on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder. $7-$15 (303-245-4643).
This weekend’s other theater openings
“And the Winner Is . . .” A self-obsessed movie star is finally nominated for an Oscar, then dies the night before the awards. Outraged at his bad luck, the dead man earns a return to Earth for the big night. Through March 22. Vintage Theatre, 2119 E. 17th Ave., 303-839-1361 or
“The Book of Liz” In this odd comedy co-written by David and Amy Sedaris, a nun feels unappreciated and thus decides to try her luck in the outside world. Along the way, she meets a wacky cast of characters and grapples with her personal sweating problem. Through March 21. Presented by openstage etc. at the Center for Fine Art Photography, 400 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-221-6730 or
“Gypsy” Quintessential stage mom Rose Hovick is determined to make her daughter a star. Any daughter will do. Songs include “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Starring Megan van de Hey. Through March 29. Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-794-2787 or
“The Last Night of Ballyhoo” It’s Atlanta, December 1939. “Gone with the Wind” is having its world premiere and Hitler is invading Poland — but Atlanta’s elitist German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. Through March 7. Coal Creek Community Theatre, 801 Grant St., Louisville, 303-665-0955 or
“The Mousetrap” Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, which has been playing in London continuously since its debut in 1952. Through March 21. Presented by Spotlight Theatre at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. First Place, 720-880-8727 or
“Murder at an Irish Wake” Adams Mystery Playhouse stages interactive dinner-theater mysteries. Here, Mr. Limerick has died and, at his wake, you’re enlisted to help to solve a crime. Appropriate for all ages. Through March 28. 2406 Federal Blvd., 303-455-1848 or
Compiled by John Moore
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