WORDS & MUSIC: AN ETHEL MERMAN SONGBOOK
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The Granite Theatre's current show is "Words & Music" which is a tribute to Ethel Merman. It is a one woman show conceived and written by director/choreographer Chris Mahn and the star of the show Diana Blanda. It contains many of Merman's standards. Diana Blanda is a bundle of energy and a human dynamo on the stage singing over 25 songs. The evening is a terrific evening of entertainment from start to finish with accompaniment by Ron Procopio and percussion by Buddy Procopio, his son.
Chris and Diana use the songs to tell the history of Miss Merman's career from 1930 to 1970. Merman's first hit song was "I Got Rhythm" from Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" where she had a small part and her last stage appearance was as Dolly Levi singing Jerry Herman's hit numbers. They incorporate the songs and comic lines quoted by the famous singer. Ron does dialogue with the audience and not only plays the piano but gets to sing with Diana in "Friendship", "You're The Top" and "You're Just in Love". However the show belongs to the multitalented Diana Blanda who wowed the crowd with her incredible vocal range in the ballads and her strong belting voice in the upbeat numbers. She performs the show in at least 4 different sequined gowns and a costume for "Rose's Turn" an 11 minute song from "Gypsy" and dances up a storm in this song and many others all night long. My favorite numbers were the ballads where you can hear the beauty of her soprano voice. These included "Lost in His Arms", "Before The Parade" (which turns into a dynamic upbeat song that stops the show as does "Blow Gabriel Blow") "Falling in Love is Wonderful" and "No Business Like Show Business" which closes the show. A word of praise to 22 year old Buddy who plays a mean set of drums all night long, too. So for a top notch evening of musical fun be sure to catch this show at the Granite Theatre.
"WORDS & MUSIC" ( 6 -28 May, 2005)
Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI
1 (401) 596-2341 or www.granitetheatre.com
