There was a lot of fond reminiscing and obvious neighborly support to the event. Founders Tom Ormeny and Maria Gobetti told us they had been married right on that stage.
“I used to be an ingenue,” Gobetti said. “Now I play character roles.”
Host Eric Boardman, a ringer for a young Edward Herrmann, informed us of other noteworthy social phenomena 30 years ago, including bungee jumping, the Sony Walkman and an average price for L.A. housing of $58,000. Clearly, things have changed.
As staged by Cate Caplin, the evening’s lineup was faithful to old-time vaudeville, with slinky chanteuses, sexy dancers and the best ventriloquist act this reviewer has ever seen. Florenz Ziegfeld was beaming beyond the grave.
Starting with actress (and, apparently, singer — who knew?) Linda Purl, the show’s musical offerings were heavily weighted with jazz and big band standards like “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” a 1931 Duke Ellington composition, and “Sentimental Journey” (circa 1944). Purl has a lovely, smoky contralto, but a rhythm section would have given more guts to her crooning, and I might have staged it with greater connection between singer and pianist (Jake Anthony — a fabulous accompanist with endearing expression).
Husband-wife duo Jeffery Passero and Elizabeth Hayden sang a sly “We’re Gonna Be Alright” from the Rodgers/Sondheim musical “Do I Hear a Waltz?” (1965). The combined decades of musical theater, as well as years of marital familiarity, were evident in their performance, despite microphone issues. And Hayden’s voice is pure Broadway.
