First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb is a treat for lovers of musical theater. This is a showcase of some of the best songs from
John Kander and
Fred Ebb, the theater powerhouses who brought us
Cabaret, Chicago, and
Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as the Big Apple anthem “New York, New York.” Throw in six great singers, each with a lot of personal pizzazz, let
Signature Theatre’s artistic director,
Eric Schaeffer, mix and match them creatively, hand the baton to Signature Theatre’s award-winning musical director,
Jon Kalbfleisch, add sparkly costumes and neon lights, and you have a can’t-miss evening of tuneful delight.
It worked in Signature’s intimate space in 2009. And
it works at Kennedy Center, which needed a production to fill the
Eisenhower
when the planned production of
Pal Joey fell through. The biggest change is that the 23-person orchestra, conducted by Kalbfleisch, is bigger. At times, it is too
much of a good thing and the singers are hard to hear. It’s a pity because there are some real showstoppers here—Heidi Bickenstaff belting out “Ring Them Bells” and
Matthew Scott,
James Clow, and
Alan H. Green joining forces on “Military
Man.” There are torch songs aplenty and wonderful harmonies. There are
also surprises when you
expect a splash and get a quiet “ping” instead. I can accept a
poignant “Cabaret.” But I admit I missed a rousing rendition
of “New York, New York.”
The set—two sets of illuminated stairs in the midst of
the 23-piece orchestra—looks very much like the illuminated steps at
Signature Theatre in Arlington. It is simple, but it works.
Kander and Ebb are the real stars here. And they deserve to be.
First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb
is at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater through July 1. Tickets ($65 to $125) are available via the Kennedy Center’s
website.
