Smokey Joe's Cafe on fire at TLP

It’s the end of summer and there’s nothing but reruns on T.V. Looking for something fun and entertaining to end your summer? Take a ride up to Timber Lake Playhouse for their live musical production of Smokey Joe’s Café.

Among the 19 songs in the first act and 15 in the second act are hits we grew up with like Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Love Potion #9, and many others. From gospel to jazz to rock ‘n’ roll the music is performed by 9 varied vocalists - 5 men, 4 women - all with different ranges, abilities, and styles.

Chuck Smith brilliantly directed Smokey Joe’s Café, which made its Broadway debut in 1995. Last season he directed the similarly styled Ain’t Misbehaven’. There’s no dialog, just all music. But the music is from the beginnings of rock ‘n’ roll history with a mixture of blues, jazz, and gospel. The songs were all written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, the most influential songwriters and music producers in post-World War II popular music. Brenda Didier choreographed the show with some very sexy moves and routines.

The best male performance must go to David Lee Murray, Jr., a junior at University of Wisconsin earning his BFA. He wowed us all season with his singing but his dancing in Saved at the end of the first act almost had the crowd on their feet. He is an outstanding singer and actor and I really hope he comes back again next season.

Outstanding female performance goes to Lina Kernan, a guest star with a BFA from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She performed You’re the Boss with acting intern Braxton Molinaro. The song is very jazzy with a sax solo from the live band. Anytime Lina was on stage you can expect outstanding vocals in all her performances.

Another guest artist, April Thornton – a full figured gal from L.A. - performed incredible gospel in Saved. She also sang a very bluesy version of Hound Dog. If you have ever seen Dream Girls, she reminder me of American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson. She can really belt it out. RaeMon, another guest actor with a BA in music is very talented especially during There Goes My Baby/Love Potion #9 and the finale Stand by Me.

Jenny Guse, a season regular, is a very sexy long legged blonde who knows how to move. Her moves during Teach Me How to Shimmy are something to see (and she can sing too, especially in a short black dress during a duet with Lina called Trouble).

Zack Powell and Jay Reynolds, Jr. also have been regulars cast members all summer. Jay, a tenor and dancer reminds me of Neil Sadaka. He has a beautiful voice and can hit those high notes. He also sings and dances during Spanish Harlem with Lina. Zack, more a rock ‘n’ roller, performed Jailhouse Rock in an Elvis way with a black leather coat.

Cassandra Marie Nuss, a tall beautiful brunette finishes out the cast of four women. They all performed my favorite I’m a Woman. The sound system wasn’t kind to Sandy’s high notes. It’s too bad with such a talented cast the acoustics aren’t better so they wouldn’t have to be miked. The current mike and sound system distorts the sound at times, particularly on certain notes and voices. I’ve heard some complaints this year.

If you love music, or maybe haven’t been to any performances this year, I highly recommend Smokey Joe’s Café as the best show this season. It’s only playing through August 19th so call right away for reservation.

(by Barb Benson, theCity1.com)