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| Luba Lisa, Kenneth Christopher. (Photo: Impact.) |
THEY DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THAT ANYMORE. [Comedy-Music Revue] M/LY/SK: Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray; D: Timothy Gray; S: Don Gordon; C: E. Huntington Parker; L: Beverly Emmons; P: Costas Omero in the Timothy Gray/William Justus Production; T: Plaza 9 Music Hall (OB); 6/8/72-6/25/72 (32)
Arthur Blake, a female impersonator whose takeoffs included Mae West (who seemed more like Shelley Winters) and Gloria Swanson (as per Sunset Boulevard), was the centerpiece of this campy cabaret revue, designed to kid the greats of old-time show biz.
It was disheartening to know that Broadway musical veteran Hugh Martin (Best Foot Forward, for example), was partly responsible for what Howard Thompson dismissed as “an incredibly threadbare paste-up of unsparkling tunes and rickety sketches.” One song, "Oscar," was agreeable enough, said Thompson. “This number, a thrust at the Hollywood statuette, at least briefly keeps Mr. Blake off the stage, as five energetic youngsters supply some song‐and‐dance respiration. Two do quite nicely on their own—Phoebe Otis and a lad named Kevin Christopher, both of whom deserve a better show. So would Luba Lisa, if she toned down that calliope stridence.”
And, as any regular theatregoer can attest, unfortunately, they do still make ‘em like that.
Next up: Thieves.
