Theater Review: Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'A Grand Night for Singing' at Seven Angels Theatre

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

It will be “A Grand Night for Singing” at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury through May 10. The musical review that showcases two acts worth of Rodgers and Hammerstein classics was conceived by Walter Bobbie and includes musical arrangements by Fred Wells and orchestrations by Michael Gibson and Jonathan Tunick.

This celebration of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein was originally produced by Roundabout Theatre Company in NYC back in 1993. The set list will definitely appeal to those of us old enough to recognize most of the iconic pieces that are performed with very little dialogue and may inspire an appreciation in younger patrons.

The Seven Angels production is directed by Artistic Director Constantine Pappas, an Equity actor who knows how to make the five cast members look their best. This show marks his professional directorial debut at 7A. The music direction by Richard Carsey, who performs onstage on piano as he conducts the other musicians, is sublime.

The score includes beloved musical numbers from “Cinderella,” “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma!,” “State Fair,” “Allegro,” “Flower Drum Song” and more. While some are reimagined in the performance, some might come off as outdated. Nonetheless, everything is based in musical theater and easy to forgive. I never knew that New Haven is mentioned in “That’s the Way It Happens.”

Morgan Cowling, an Equity member who hails from Australia, sings the musical numbers assigned to Woman #2. Cowling has a great stage presence and sings wonderfully. The actress also undergoes some good-natured teasing about her accent in the first act. Cowling appeared in “The Great Emu War” at Goodspeed and was part of the national tour of “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Elizabeth Fox, a born and raised CT actress, is assigned the pieces assigned to Woman #3. She has been performing in the New York City cabaret scene. The talented singer has performed at Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz and 54 Below.

Abigail Hammond, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music who is originally from Massachusetts, sings the lines of Woman #1.

Charles Romano, who sang the role of Anthony Hope in Legacy Theatre’s “Sweeney Todd” and was in MTC’s “Rent,” takes on the responsibilities of Man #1. Romano is a gifted performer and it was a treat to see him on another CT stage.

Kenneth Galm makes his 7A debut in the role of Man #2. He has sung as Tobias in “Sweeney Todd” at CRT, and was part of the fine “All Is Calm” at Playhouse on Park.

The band includes Carsey on piano, Eric Pelletier on a host of reeds, Igor Lepak on bass and Mark Ryan and Bob Nolte sharing percussion duties.

There is fine lighting design by Charles O’Connor. Rahxas Colite works as production stage manager in her second 7A show, assisted by Christine Simone. The five singers essentially remain in the same fancy outfits for the entire show, although one changes into a very sparkly short dress for one number.

Pappas uses his Artistic Director Corner page in the printed program to encourage patrons to recognize the new landscape of theater in the Waterbury area, with two local theaters closing and others facing an exodus of audiences and supporters. The artistic director adds that through 7A’s four Mainstage productions, they have hired 47 new faces, 34 being local to CT. Pappas vows to continue to bring “a new energy, a new vision and new excitement” to the theater and is grateful to those that join them on the wild ride.

The performance is presented in two acts with a 15-minute intermission. Get your tickets at SevenAngelsTheatre.org