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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels June 17, 2004 'Four Guys' highlights generations of Latin music By Robert H. Miller For the Tidings This long title of "Four Guys Named Jos� and Una Mujer Named Maria," the new song and dance revue at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, bespeaks a celebration of 60 years of Latin music in the United States. Let the music get to you, the Four Guys sing in their opening number, "Feel It." And it most certainly got to me. I've a gammy left knee, but it couldn't resist responding to the rhythm. Don't expect a story line. It's more an anthology of songs, with musical arrangements by Oscar Hernandez. David Coffman and Dolores Prida adapted Prida's work to create a revue in which four guys of Latino heritage (Cuban, Mexican, Dominican, and Puerto Rican) put on a midwinter show in Omaha, Neb. They are able to use the set of Tennessee Williams' "Camino Real" on the theater's dark night. What better than to light up the dark, singing the songs their parents brought with them when they migrated to the United States? And to supply the feminine touch they rope in a gal named Maria. The revue ran for 191 performances in New York, and the original cast soundtrack was released in 2001. It earned a five-star rating. Early on, the cast launches into "I Make My Money with Bananas," a song made famous by Carmen Miranda, the Portuguese singer and dancing star of Brazilian and Hollywood musicals. It transported me back to 1941 when I saw her perform in rehearsal on a sound stage in a film studio in Los Angeles. Jenn Roman, our Maria, recreates it for us, complete with the characteristic cornucopia of a headpiece. This is one of 15 fast-paced songs in a "Then and Now Medley," followed by a romantic selection, "Hollywood Latin Lovers." In this, the Four Guys commend themselves to Maria after her rendition of "Amor," sung in a fetching blue gown. Their songs are familiar ballads - "Magic in the Moonlight," "Besame Mucho," "Sway with Me," and "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas" (Perhaps, Perhaps). In Act II, nostalgia provides an opportunity for the Four Jos�s to sing of their homeland - Jos� Boricua (Jimmy L. Garcia) with "En Mi Viejo San Juan" (Puerto Rico); Jos� Dominicano (Jason Winfield) with "Santiago;" Jos� Mexicano (Graciano Nunez) with "Vera Cruz;" and Jos� Cubano (Mark Enea) with "Nostalgia Habanera." Then follows the Maria Medley, the Four Guys offering "Maria Bonita," "Maria Elena," "Maria La O," and "1 2 3 Maria." But sorry, guys. No way, Jos�. Our Maria is none of these. The production is directed and choreographed by Jim Giancarlo, who has always loved Latin music and dance, music that rides on rhythm. "Rhythm that is both sensual and spiritual," he observes. "Rhythm that comes from the heart and the soul. Music with rhythms that move us to dance." His young cast respond remarkably. They've got the rhythm. Jimmy L. Garcia, the Puerto Rican Jos�, is a dynamo of motion and a fire of energy and probably the sexiest of the quartet. Mark Enea, the Cuban Jos�, on the other hand, is more subdued, a touch deferential but pleasantly slick and sleek. As for Jason Winfield, the Dominican Jos�, he's the romantic, using his strong voice tenderly in "Magic is the Moonlight" and passionately in "Santiago." Graciano Nunez, the Mexican Jos�, with his boyish features is likable assertive and droll (his English rendering of the Spanish lyric "Frenesi" proving that the nuances in Spanish songs defy translation). Jenn Roman uses her excellent singing voice to capture all of Maria's moods and displays deft footwork in the energetic dances, being flung around. There's a touch of humor at the revue's end when the characters disclose who they are and what they do. Craig Hudson excels himself with the set and lighting design. It is decidedly Latino, even Mediterranean, in its feel; bright with colorful tiling and a dark blue sky and twinkling stars in the background. I like the way the band - Eric Nordin, music director/piano; Jim Malachi, drums; and Patrice Sheahan, percussion - is cordoned off on the stage, visible but not obtrusive. The beaded entrance curtains are a joy as is the palm planted in a bongo drum. There are flowers all around, and on each audience table is a dainty Latino lamp. Which leads me to executive chef Douglas Todd's dinner fare. He also excels himself with a cultural cookout. The sofrito grilled chicken breast was scrumptious, with a choice of salsas. And the Pina Colada cake was a delicious dessert. Performances are Wednesday to Monday at 8 p.m. until Sept. 5. No shows Tuesday, and no matinees. Gourmet dinners with a Latin flavor are available by advance registration and are not included in the ticket price. For more information, call 488-2902. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams