“I don’t know about you, but I’m spending a lot more time reading the news…” Ted Sperling begins. As Artistic Director/Principal Conductor of Master/Voices, he shares that in its 76th season, the group will offer pointedly topical programs. Of Thee I Sing “begins the series on a lighter side. The satire includes foreign interference in a presidential election, impeachment accusations due to sexual misconduct, an inept Vice President, a Supreme Court outside the law, and fake news.
Written during the depth of The Depression when other shows were sheer fluff, it “took aim at the thin line between politics and show business…” (Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose– The more it changes, the more it’s the same thing.) Co-Book Writer/Director George F. Kaufman took issue with George Gershwin who had a habit of playing every new number he and his brother had written at parties. By the time the show was up, an audience might be so familiar with songs, the Broadway piece would seem like a revival.
On opening night the actors playing the president and vice president were afraid they’d be arrested.” Instead, the show was the Gershwins’ greatest success. It ran over a year, was the first musical to be published in book form and the first to win a Pulitzer Prize.
John P. Wintergreen (Bryce Pinkham buoyant and obtusely, appealingly innocent) gets nominated for president by yelling out his own name when no one else comes forward. His vice presidential running mate, Alexander Throttlebottom (the wonderful Kevin Chamberlin), doesn’t want to be on the ticket. His mother might find out. “She’ll never know,” an advisor assures him, “You’ll forget about it yourself in 3 months.” In fact, the VP forgets his ticket to the Inauguration and enters the White House the first time on a public tour.
Kevin Chamberlin
The production opened at a time “when politics were easier to laugh at and “Who Cares” was a delightful song, not a governing philosophy.”
In order to catch public attention (and trust), the party decides on a platform of Love. A nationwide contest for Miss White House will be held in Atlantic City with Winterbottom marrying the winner. What if she can’t sew or even broil an egg? While waiting in the wings, the unwitting groom-to-be is attracted by smart, pretty contest organizer Mary Turner (Denee Benton, pleasing manner, pretty voice if not quite full enough). He discovers she makes his favorite food – corn muffins. “I’ve only got a minute. I love you. Let’s elope,” he suggests.
Elizabeth Stanley
The actual winner, Diana Devereaux (Elizabeth Stanley – sex, swagger and pithy soprano) is furious and threatens to take them to court. Instead she hooks up with the Ambassador of France (David Pittu – sublime Hollywood French Maitre’d material) who threatens to dissolve relations as… She’s the illegitimate daughter/of the illegitimate son/of the illegitimate nephew of Napoleon….
It doesn’t happen, of course. Instead, President Winterbottom suddenly recalls that when he’s unable to fulfill his duties, obligations are assumed by the Vice President. Throttlebottom marries the jilted young woman. Tah Dah!
The Company
The high spirited show is jauntily directed, beautifully performed, and emphatically timely. Unfortunately, a choir of that size creates sound that emphasizes music over lyrics. A great deal of clever material is lost.
“Of Thee I Sing plays all over the country, was adapted for television and remains, like the government, a favorite of amateurs.”
Also featuring: Chuck Cooper, Brad Oscar, Fred Applegate, Richard J. Miller, Jr. Esq. Rhett Guter, Anna Landy
All unidentified quotes from Narration by Joe Keenan presented by Mo Rocca
Photos by Erin Baiano
Opening Bryce Pinkham & Denee Benton
Of Thee I Sing
Music & Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin
Book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind
Concert Adaptation by Tommy Krasker
Master /Voices Orchestra Conductor and Director- Ted Sperling
Carnegie Hall
November 2, 2017
