Theatre Review: “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” at MTC

Norwalk - “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” is based on the life of the actress/singer, who was once hailed as America’s favorite girl singer. The musical written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman is running at Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) through Oct. 3, marking the first musical launched by the Norwalk theatre in two years.

This inspiring relatively new musical biography features many of the singer’s signature hits such as “Hey There,” “Come On-A My House,” Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessing Instead of Sheep,” and the title song, as well as pieces that some younger audience members may not recognize as songs that helped make her famous.

In “Tenderly,” Clooney’s journey starts with her humble Midwest childhood and rise to Hollywood stardom, and then continues beyond battles with depression to a triumphant comeback as a jazz singer. The musical numbers remind us why this singer topped the charts for nearly five decades with signature songs.

The two acts offer an extremely personal and poignant picture of the woman whose undeniable talent and unbridled personality made her a legend. As is usually the case with biographical musicals, I always come away learning a lot about the celebrity.

Equity performer Susan Haefner plays “Rosie” in her Musical Theatre of Connecticut debut. As an actor, she has worked on Broadway, on national and international tours, and at regional theaters across the United States. Haefner originated the role of Rosemary in “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in its world premiere. She has also been a director/choreographer at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford.

Her portrayal of Clooney is remarkable in both her acting and singing ability. At times achingly raw, at other times tender, this portrait of the singer is nothing if not most realistic. The style of the storytelling has Clooney reluctantly dredging up the details of her life with a psychiatrist at Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills, after a breakdown on stage. Haefner makes it all very convincing.

As the psychiatrist, Equity member John Treacy Egan helps to bring the therapy sessions to life. However, the actor also plays all of the “others,” important characters in his patient’s life shown in flashback scenes, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, José Ferrer, as well as Clooney’s mother and her sister Betty. As a few of these, he is required to be a song and dance man and he does so very well.

Egan has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring productions and regional theatre including “The Servant of Two Masters” at Yale Rep.

Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder Kevin Connors directs the pair with a good eye to the important details. The trio of musicians are seated on one side of the stage and include conductor David Wolfson on the grand piano, Rich Zurkowsky or Steve Taylor on upright bass and Steve Musitano on drums.

The sleek set design by Lindsay Fuori works as a variety of spaces, with the singer’s “live” performances presented closer to the front row seats. The costumes designed by Diane Vanderkroef are true to the periods in the singer’s life and flatter the wearer. The final gown is completely reminiscent of the style favored by Clooney at the end of her career and the wig design adds to the resemblance. Lighting designed by RJ Romeo enhanced the look of all of the scenes and the cute choreography was designed by Chris McNiff.

“Tenderly” runs approximately 90 minutes plus a fifteen-minute intermission. Patrons are asked to show proof of vaccination upon entering the building and are asked to keep their mask on except when eating or drinking. All performances are in person. Empty seats are not left between parties. Performances are on Fridays at 8 p.m, Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m, and Sundays at 2 p.m. Next up at the venue is “Falsettoland,” opening on Nov. 5.

https://www.musictheatreofct.com/tenderly

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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