In its 50th season, the 92Y’s estimable Lyrics and Lyricists series opens live again featuring one of its own, Musical Director/Arranger/Conductor David Loud. The show’s narration is excerpted from Loud’s new book of the same name. Judging by the text, beautifully rendered by its author, Facing the Music is a backstage entertainment must for Broadway aficionados.
The well directed evening (Noah Racey) featured songs from Curtains (John Kander/Fred Ebb 2007), She Loves Me (Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick 1961), Merrily We Roll Along (Stephen Sondheim 1981), Little Mary Sunshine (Rick Besoyan 1959), and Pippin (Stephen Schwartz 1972) with disproportionately too many from Merrily. The host was involved with all these shows originally or in revival.
It’s opening night of Curtains, which took seven years to get to Broadway creating something of a family. Loud enters the pit to take up conducting duties when he notices there’s no music on the music stand. “I considered running for my life,” he quips. The intern assigned to copy changes is questioned. In fact, the score is mistakenly on its way to Connecticut. What ensues is a testimony to ‘the show must go on.’ Matthew Scott’s “I Miss the Music” is deeply invested, delivery strong and sure.
Heidi Blickenstaff, Jason Gotay, David Loud, Laura Darrell, Matthew Scott
A story about the four conductors of nominated musical revivals at a Tony Awards show finds him ignominiously lined up with his tuxedoed peers ready to animate recorded music. (The pit is filled with an orchestra who might as well be knitting.) Descriptions of rehearsal mishaps and his show’s diminishing audience reflect affection and frustration. Addressing Bock and Harnick’s parting is discreet. Laura Darrel’s pretty soprano on “Will He Like Me?” is suffused with trilled warmth. Jason Gotay’s guileless “She Loves Me” embodies the character and moment.
Visiting a doctor for what he thought was muscular shoulder pain, Loud was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Dramatization of that event is deft and keeps from weightiness despite evidence and prognosis. The reliable David Garrison (nice to see him onstage again) plays his doctor. (Later Garrison has a nifty turn as the onstage producer in Merrily.)
Now we go backwards, which is disorienting. At 18 and a college sophomore, Loud impulsively answered an open call for young people 14-20 to be cast in Merrily We Roll Along. Much to his own surprise, he got the job. After months of nail biting and racing to the telephone, he found himself on stage instead of in the pit, playing Ted, understudying Lonny Price.
Heidi Blickenstaff, Jason Gottay, Laura Darrell (behind), David Loud, Matthew Scott, David Garrison
Recollections are ingenuous, amusing, observant, detailed. This was a musical with seismic changes pre-opening. The Company sings a number of the show’s songs. “Fifth Transition” with Gotay, Scott and Heidi Blickenstaff is particularly well played, not just sung. Blickenstaff then excels with “Not a Day Goes By,” showcasing control and acting chops. (Why she’s the only one reading lyrics during several other numbers is a puzzle.) Photos of creatives appear on a back screen, some with wet-behind-the-ears Loud.
A third rate production of Little Mary Sunshine for which Loud played second piano is filled with “ouch” experience, but Loud makes a friend when she comments, “You’re gay, right? You play the piano like you give a shit.” The next year he was asked back as musical director. He went, of course. His family wondered how non-equity summer stock went hand in hand with an Ivy League education. David knew the answer.
Arrangements are excellent.
For some unfathomable reason, the polished cast was allowed to dress in casual jeans creating a disconnect with professionalism.
Photos by Richard Termine
Opening: Jason Gotay, Heidi Blickenstaff, David Garrison (behind), David Loud, Laura Darrell, Matthew Scott
92 Y Lyrics & Lyricists presents
David Loud: Facing the Music
Conceived, Arranged and Hosted by David Loud Concert Adaptation by David Loud and Noah Racey Director- Noah Racey MD/Piano- Paul Staroba
Vocalists: Heidi Blickenstaff, Laura Darrell, David Garrison, Jason Gotay, Matthew Scott
Next Lyrics & Lyricists – April 23-25: You Send Me: The Songs and Soul of Sam Cooke
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