What amazing lyricists were Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II and wonderful musical scores penned by such greats as Jerome Kern, Sidney Romberg and, of course, Richard Rodgers really complement and enhance the lyrics and we came away in such a good mood after hearing such lovely songs as: "Ol Man River", Blue Moon" and "Edelweiss".
The first half of the show was rather innovative and informative as it examined works written by Rodgers and Hammerstein separately, before they teamed up as a duo. So we had such songs as "Indian Love Call" from the 1924 show Rose Marie where the words were co-written by Oscar Hammerstein with different composers and "Mountain Greenery" taken from the 1926 "Garrick Gaieties" show that Richard Rodgers wrote with Lorenz Hart.
Then we were treated to a sizeable slice of "Showboat", which Hammerstein wrote to go with Jerome Kern's music and also some excerpts from a less known operetta called "The New Moon" which Hammerstein wrote with Sidney Romberg.
Many songs of these early songs have, in fact, outlived the passing popularity of the shows that they were written for and remain huge numbers today. Many people will know Frank Sinatra's versions of "The Lady Is A Tramp" (added to the 1957 film version of "Pal Joey") and "Have You Met Miss Jones" without realising that they originally came from Rodgers' and Hart's 1937 shows "Babes in Arms" and "I'd Rather Be Right" respectively.
Similarly "My Funny Valentine" - again from "Babes In Arms" and again resurrected on the silverscreen by Kim Novak in Pal Joey - has a timeless quality about it that ensured Lucy Fellows' haunting 2011 rendition was probably just as dramatic as the original stage performance would have been some 74 years previously.
The second half featured favourite songs from the works that Rodgers & Hammerstein produced together: "The Flower Drum Song", "The King & I", "South Pacific", "The Sound Of Music", "Carousel", "Oklahoma" - all well known and much loved tunes - and also a less well known piece, taken from the 1957 "Cinderella" musical written especially for CBS television and orinally starring Julie Andrews.
Director Andy Vitolo has obviously tried to make this more than just another "Songs From The Musicals" show. A black and white theme and minimal scenery and lighting gave the production a feeling crispness and modernity which contrasted nicely with the songs - some of which were almost 90 years old.
We got a really modern take on "When I'm Calling You..." presented with great humour by Michelle Reynolds and Jeremy Clark, some tongue in cheek ugly sisters, played by Lorraine May and Cheryl Finnigan and a very striking Howard Keel in Oklahoma from Michael Cosgrove. Gemma Palmer's solos - "Manhattan" and "My Favourite Things " - were fresh and enchanting to listen to and Jackie May played a wonderful Cinderella while all contributed signifcantly to the various chorus numbers
These were well choreographed with particpants moving smoothly across the set to sing their parts and withdrawing when not required. The musical accompaniment was provided by George King who really managed to bring these wonderful old tunes to life in a most pleasing musical production.
AV Productions' "Rodgers And Hammerstein American Songbook" can next be seen at the Lancaster Grand Theatre on Sunday 22nd May - why not check it out...?
For tickets and information, go to: http://www.lancastergrand.co.uk/
