|
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women
Written & Conceived by Dorothy Marcic
Directed by Peter J. Loewry
Choreography by Julie Kleiner
At The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 N. Green
Chicago, IL
Call 877-447-7849, tickets $39 - $45
Wednesdays at 2 & 7 PM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time 2 hrs with Intermission
Open Run
Respect is a fun musical treat.
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women is a wonderfully entertaining show containing three extremely talented performers who combine strong voices with the ability to sell a song. Free from the expected man-bashing tones of ‘women’s’ shows, Respect sure gained some from me. This is a commemoration of womanhood in song and dance. Featuring over 50 songs scientifically selected by author Dorothy Marcic to chronicle the lives of women in the century of change, Respect contains the songs women listened to during various periods of their lives.
Respect uses songs to reflect the movement of women from docile wives to completely equal independent individuals. We hear songs like “I Want To Be Loved by You,” “Tonight You Belong To Me,” “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend,” “Whatever Lola Wants,” “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” “I Will Survive,” “I Will Follow Him,” “Stand By Your Man,” “Girl’s Just Want To Have Fun” and “You Don’t Own Me.”
Told through a middle aged narrator, Respect unfolds first as a history of women’s liberation during the 20th Century using the motif of popular music to reflect the emotions, attitudes and desires of women as they emerge from servitude to equality in the changing modern world. This works to give cohesiveness to the piece raising it above a mere revue. Early we meet key women who fostered changes. From CoCo Chanel to Betty Boop to Rosa Parks to Ida B. Wells we experience the hopes and angst of women as they struggle to find love, fulfillment and, of course, respect. Each era is marvelously told in song and dance with generous doses of humor in an exuberant, energetic evening of entertainment. I loved this toe-tapping fun show and so will all women (and most men).
The production suffers from having the sound a tad too loud forcing the terrific singers to compete to be heard at times. Turning down the volume of the band a notch or two would help. Also, the narrator, playing the author, Dorothy Marcic, isn’t needed as it smacks of egotism. Karan Pappas has a shrill and somewhat irritating voice that detracts from the other extremely talented three performers. Why not have just the three strong talents do they show?
Sheryan Culberson, Jeanette Fitzpatrick and Emily Price are marvelous talents who work together like they’ve been doing this show for years. Each compliments the other and each contributes to the fine harmonies, funny personas and true stereotypes of modern women. Culberson’s lands blues, R & B and jazzy songs with true emotional anxiety while Fitzpatrick’s strong voice belts torch songs marvelously. She also had several funny moments as the girl anxiously waiting for the her boyfriend to call. Emily Price (a Northwestern University product) sure knows how to ‘sell’ a song as she deftly lands key numbers and comic moments. She sings with style and personality.
Respect is a quickly paced, well sung show that is an infectious romp celebrating womanhood through music, movement and humor. With outstanding musical arrangements form Phil Hinton executed wonderfully by the three piece band, Respect moves through the varied assortment of musical styles without missing a beat.
Respect is a polished, ‘feel good to be a girl’ show that is performed in good taste as it showcases the achievements of women as well as becoming a vehicle for Culberson, Fitzpatrick and Price to strut their talents. The rousing “I Will Survive” anthem is apt as this show will have a long run. The audience stood and cheered in ecstasy.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
April 23, 2005
|
