Charlene Baldridge | Downtown News
Though they work very hard, two seasoned pros make James Hindman’s 2000 off-Broadway musical “Pete ‘n’ Keely” look easy. A feast for musical theater and comedy lovers, the show – starring Eileen Bowman and Phil Johnson – continues through March 3 at Coronado’s Lamb’s Players Theatre.
The book is loosely based on married pop music performers Steve (Lawrence) and Edye (Gorme) whose tune, “We Got Us,” is referenced obliquely in the “Pete ‘n’ Keely” score as “It’s Us Again.” Think of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You, Babe,” and you get the idea.
The musical includes original music as well as standards like “Fever” (hilariously sung by Johnson) and “Lover” (sung by Bowman, who wears a succession of fabulous costumes by Jeanne Barnes Reith that threaten the originals by Bob Mackie).
With handsome Brent Schindele on piano and a fine onstage combo comprising Tom Versen on percussion, Harley Magsino on bass and Leonard Sundelson on reeds/flute, Bowman and Johnson’s vocals are well supported and euphoniously orchestrated by Patrick Brady.
Actor Patrick Duffy, also responsible for sound design, portrays the nervous stage manager of the 1968 TV station where the action is set upon Mike Buckley’s set, replete with lighted-stair platform.
Here we witness the “happy, happy” TV reunion special of two formerly married entertainers who snipe at each other all evening, all the while barely maintaining surface decorum.
“We were the biggest thing since Little Ricky,” says Keely of the couple’s glorious 12 years at the top, which Pete says, “Were the happiest three days of my life.”
The funniest part of the show is “Pete ‘n’ Keely as Tony ‘n’ Cleo,” in which Bowman and Johnson play clueless New York tourists. It’s a spoof in a tomb with spectacular costumes achieved in the blink of an eye. The hit tune from “Hello Dolly” becomes “Hello Egypt,” and as Anthony expresses his passion for Cleo we seem to hear strains of “If Ever I Should Leave You.” The strength of spoof is sincerity and these performers have it.
The biggest surprise to this Johnson devotee is Johnson’s voice, which is surprisingly beautiful and tender at times, then powerful without edge.
Remarkable singing, and of course we already know what Bowman can do whether singing low-down blues or soaring operatically. Both are extraordinary farceurs and I cannot imagine anyone better than they in this show.
Director Kerry Meads, musical director Jon Lorenz, and choreographer Colleen Kollar Smith could not be more fortunate. The audience January 26 floated out on a wave of joy and enthusiasm. This is what they love; this is what Lamb’s does so well.
“Pete ‘n’ Keely” continues at 7:30 p.m. Tues-Thurs, 8 p.m. Fri-Sat, 2 p.m. Tues and Sun, 4 p.m. Sat, through March 3 at Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Avenue, Coronado, lambsplayers.org or 619-437-6000.
Charlene Baldridge moved to San Diego from the Chicago area in 1962. She’s been writing about the arts since 1979, and has had her features, critiques, surveys and interviews included in various publications ever since. Her book San Diego, Jewel of the California Coast (Northland Publishing) is currently available in bookstores. She can be reached at [email protected].
