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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, October 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 21, 2004 ‘Pete ’n’ Keely’ is a colorful musical feast By RICHARD MOESCHL The Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s latest offering is "Pete ’n’ Keely," James Hindman’s stylish and entertaining look at the bygone era of live TV variety shows and entertainment specials. The show features set and lighting designer Craig Hudson’s sparest set to date. I miss his extra touches and attention to detail. But it is, after all, a stage set for a television show and the focus is — as it should be — on the performers. And if your eyes happen to stray from those performers, their costumes will grab your attention and pull you back. There’s something about multicolored bell-bottomed suits that can’t be ignored. And if that still doesn’t grab you, then the music will. "Pete ’n’ Keely" is a music feast from start to finish. Gregg Preston (Pete) and Susannah Mars (Keely) fill the evening with incredible musical stylings. OK, some of the songs are really silly, but they’re still delivered with great vocal and instrumental skill. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" will never sound the same now that I’ve heard Pete and Keely’s over-the-top version. Pete and Keely are amalgams of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Sonny and Cher and Carol Lawrence and Robert Goulet (Preston even looks a bit like Goulet). The story is set in the 1950s. Pete and Keely meet, get married and become a celebrated husband-and-wife singing duo, appearing on many TV specials and touring the country. The marriage lasts for 12 years, and in 1963, they get divorced. Their solo careers are abysmal and they come back for a reunion TV special. And that’s what the Cabaret audience gets to watch. We’re treated to cheesy, pasted-on smiles from a couple who obviously are finding the whole thing a little annoying. But, show biz veterans to the bitter end, they still love it when the audience responds to their songs. Advertisement "And who could ever forget? " Pete says as he and Keely launch into one of their "greatest hits." The applause is heard from the studio audience, to which Keely gushes, "You still remember!" The studio orchestra features Darcy Danielson on piano, Jim Malachi on drums and Bruce McKern on bass. They are a tight, versatile combo. You know they’re having fun, too, when you see Danielson grinning as she plays. The arrangements are engaging and the singing is stellar. Preston and Mars ARE Pete and Keely and take us on a wonderful ride not just down the fabled memory lane but to places very few performers can go musically. The lyrics and lines range from the satirical ("Egypt is the spot where we can raise our marriage from the dead") to the poignant ("If ours was a dream, wasn’t it fine? Tear us apart, I’m in your heart, you’re in mine"). The songs reveal as much about the couple’s lives together as the barbed remarks during commercial breaks. I loved hearing Pete’s solo "Still" and Keely’s "Black Coffee." But I’d give anything to have a loop of their final song, "That’s All," complete with scat singing. I’m a big fan of harmonies and the show is full of them, as most of the songs are duets. Jim Giancarlo directs with musical direction by Danielson. Set and lighting design are by Craig Hudson, sound design is by Frank Sullivan and wig design is by Victoria King. Kathleen Mahoney is the stage manager. Bob Mackie provided the costumes he designed for the original 2000 show. Reach Tempo editor Richard Moeschl at 776-4486. If You Go What: "Pete ’n’ Keely," a look at the bygone era of live TV variety shows and entertainment specials. Where: Oregon Cabaret Theatre, First and Hargadine streets, Ashland. When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays and 1 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, Nov. 7. Tickets: $21 and $19 for Thursday, Sunday and Monday evenings; $25 and $23 for Friday and Saturday evenings; $19 for Sunday brunch matinees. Box office hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. daily except Sunday, when it is open 4 to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, when it is closed. Meals are available for an extra charge. Information: 488-2902 or www.oregoncabaret.com . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities