'Mr. Davis, a Night with Sammy' at Seven Angels - My Review

The one man show Mr. Davis, a Night with Sammy opened at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury on Saturday evening to what Semina De Laurentis called “a small but mighty audience.” The production is the new Sammy Davis Jr., Musical Show featuring the talents of the Waterbury native and WAMS graduate, Solomon Kee. Ms. De Laurentis told those in attendance that she had seen Mr. Kee in a performance at WAMS and, struck by his charisma, invited him to appear in a show at Seven Angels. She added that he is also one of the nicest young men she has ever met.

As promised, the audience was “transported to the Las Vegas Strip and you’re sure to believe you’re sitting at the Sands Hotel singing, swinging and crooning with Sammy.” However, the young actor himself has said that “the show isn’t about imitation. I’m just being Solomon on stage” He continues with “I sing his songs and add a few Sammy Davisisms here and there. I don’t believe anyone can impersonate him He was one of a kind. I just wanna make the world taste good like he did.”

I would agree that this gifted young man, who has traveled nationally working on shows such as HAIRSPRAY, DREAMGIRLS, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN and a number of Rat Pack revues and book musicals, presented less an impersonation of Sammy Davis, Jr. and more of a performance inspired by his unique talent. Those of us old enough to remember the Rat Pack appreciated this inspiration, but I would venture a guess that a young person who had never heard of these men would enjoy the performance of Mr. Kee.

The show was a mix of many of Sammy Davis, Jr.’s classic hits, a dance lesson, and a sing-a-long to Mr. Davis’ one hit “Candyman.” Of course the classic “Mr. Bojangles,” “Once in a Lifetime” and “What Kind of Fool Am I?” were included, but so were pieces made famous by others like “I Gotta Be Me,” “For Once in My Life” and “Too Close for Comfort.” A highlight was “I’ve Got the World on a String” sung in the style of a long list of noted singers that included Jimmy Durante, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holliday, and even Mae West!

Mr. Kee was backed by a trio of young onstage musicians with Jeff Moro on upright bass, Molly Sayles on percussion and Rosemary Minkler on piano. They each had a chance to solo and did a great job with the varied score. There was no real scenery but for a few props and the lighting was fine. There were a few sound issues, but nothing too distracting.

The performance was ninety minutes with an intermission, and for most of it, Mr. Kee was in constant motion. The show is now in development for a 2015 workshop in New York City, so those that catch the Sunday matinee will be able to say that they saw it in Waterbury before it went to New York. I felt that the production ended a bit abruptly; my one recommendation would be that the curtain call be extended a bit to allow for the audience to show its appreciation. Congratulations to this Waterbury native on a fine production and best wishes for much success.

Pictured: Solomon Kee Photo by Paul Roth for Seven Angels Theatre