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For a group of people, mostly over the age of 40, the name Johnny Burke conjures up great ballads, the likes of which were sung by stars such as Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. His long and impressive list of ballads is topped by such perennial favorites as "Pennies From Heaven," "Misty," "Road to Morocco," and the titled "Swinging on a Star." Mr. Burke has the distinction of being the only songwriter to have written five of the top 10 songs on the Hit Parade simultaneously. Everyone is bound to recognize at least one song in Arizona Theatre Company's offering of the runaway Broadway hit, "Swinging on a Star." Even to those whom the tunes are unrecognizable, they're great fun, and bound to amuse.
This evening with Johnny Burke is an enjoyable one, and well performed, but there is one thing that must be said right from the top...this is no musical in the traditional sense of the word. This is one very long, tune-filled revue. What plot (or plots, since the songs are woven together throughout seven short scenes that are appropriate for their time and emotion) there is barely has enough meat to make a McDonald's hamburger. The little sketches that hold together the 36 songs and 5 reprises that make up the evening are nothing but visual and vocal segues from one great tune to the next. Once past this deceptive misnaming, the production itself can be enjoyed for what it really is...a celebration of Mr. Burke's songs.
Writer/Director Michael Leeds, Choreographer Kathleen Marshall, Scenic Designer Robert John Andrusko, and Lighting Designer Susan Chute, fresh from their Tony Award-nomination for this surprise hit, have come to Phoenix to mount this production, sans the famed Phoenix theatre-native Kathy Fitzgerald, who starred in the original Broadway run. What they put together is a wonderful revue jam-packed full of Burke's best. What this show lacks in substance it makes up for in style and spirit.
Despite the absence of the heralded Kathy Fitzgerald, the show is buoyed by its current cast, including local favorites Bob Sorenson, Renee Morgan Brooks and Sally Jo Bannow. The songs in the show range from the wildly hilarious "When Stanislaus Got Married," a rousing tale sung by Mr. Sorenson which manages to involve the entire audience and conjure up images of great old- time burlesque theatre, to the soulful "It Could Happen to You," sung in a achingly beautiful way by Ms. Brooks.
There's more than just great singing in this evening, though. Ms. Marshall's choreography is highlighted during Dennis Stowe's amazing tap routine while Ms. Brooks sings "Doctor Rhythm," and the beautiful dancing of Paige Price and Mr. Stowe while Julia Lema sings the song "Imagination." In addition to great singing and dancing, there are solid bits of comedy, including Sally Jo Bannow's engagingly ditzy blonde Vicky Voyay singing "What Does It Take to Make You Take to Me?" and Matthew Shepard's shy flyboy whose description of his girl back home leads him to the touching song "Polka Dots and Moonbeams."
Jerry Wayne Harkey's Musical Direction was perfect, and kudos go to the onstage orchestra that managed to enhance the evening without overpowering it. Visually, Mr. Andrusko's simple stage design and Susan Chute's colorful lighting design worked well in the show, being chameleon-like enough to represent such varied locales as a Chicago speakeasy, a USO show in the Pacific, and the Paramount Studios during the filming of the "Road To..." movies.
At its theatrical heart, "Swinging on a Star" is a thoroughly enjoyable, nostalgic look at a gifted songwriter. For those who are aware of only one or two of the songs written by this giant of the music industry, it's an entertaining trip of discovery. For those who grew up with the songs of Johnny Burke, this show would probably rate even higher praise still.
Production Details: "Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" Arizona Theatre Company Herberger Theatre, Phoenix 252-8497 January 3rd-January 19th, 1997
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