Its not too late to grab your Easter Bonnet and stroll on down to Pines Dinner Theatre to see 'I Love A Piano', a musical revue spanning seven decades of music by the original piano man, Irving Berlin.
Irving Berlin is considered one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters in America history; and the cast of 'Love A Piano': Ned Donovan, Brandon Wood, Lauren Eitzenberger, Gwen Swanson Vigorito, Casey Wood and Brian Vigorito delivers in this production with a combination of 65 of his finest songs.
It was an enjoyable evening from start to finish; beginning with the warm welcome by the staff, proceeding to the enjoyable standard dinner fare, all leading up to this entertaining production.
The show starts in a music store at the time of prohibition. The set centers around an old upright piano. Throughout the evening the piano is used as a prop, traveling along with the music through the years.
The voices of the three men and the three women blend well whether they are singing together, in trios or duos. Included in the many familiar songs are: "Easter Parade", "Puttin on the Ritz", "Cheek to Cheek", "Alexanders Rag Time band", "Always", "White Christmas", "God Bless America" and "Theres No Business Like Show Business".
Under the direction of Oliver Blatt, the production has a seemless continuity linking each song. Stacy Bechtel did a fantastic job as piano accompanist for all of the songs in the show, yes, 65 different melodies!
One of my favorite segments was Silent Movie, a medley of "Pack Up Your Sins", "Wont You Play Me a Simple Melody" and the "William Tell Overture." During this silent movie clip,
Donovan acts out various stunts and scenarios while climbing all over the piano, a scene that reminded me of the play, "Alfred Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'".
My only criticism is one that I have encountered here, as well as in a couple other local theatres, and that is the trending use of actor microphones. I find the sound to be disconcerting, at times, in such an intimate venue, where I can hear the actors on the stage, but the sound of their voices is coming from somewhere else. It may be a small note in the scheme of things, but with the unfortunate growing use of microphones in area theatres, I feel that it worth mentioning.
'I Love A Piano' runs through June 2. Show times: Matinees: (Wednesday “ STARTING IN MAY) Thursday & Sunday (12:30 p.m. dinner, 2:00 p.m. show); Evenings: Friday & Saturday (6:30 p.m. dinner, 8:00 p.m. show) Tickets for Dinner and Show: $ 48.50
Pines Dinner Theatre is located at 448 North 17th Street, Allentown, PA 18104 For reservations - (610) 433-2333 or www.pinesdinnertheatre.com