Regional Reviews: Seattle

The Blue Fedoras in I'll Take Manhattan
Melds Theatre and Jazz

Also see David's reviews of Hail Caesar: Forbidden Oasis and Sugar Daddies

A talented trio of established Seattle musical theatre vets have joined forces with a an ace trio of jazz musicians for an intriguing blending of theatre and jazz vocals, and their current show, The Blue Fedoras in I'll Take Manhattan, is a delicious taste of what could be a recurring favorite. The show has been presented in several area venues, both jazz clubs and theatre venues in recent months, and will now have a high profile presentation as a benefit performance.

A storyline framing the music sets the three actors (Chanteuse Kim Maguire, actor/musician Mark Shelby, and actor/singer Marcus Wolland who also crafted the script) as a trio who meet as fellow tenants in a New York City apartment building, discover they all have musical backgrounds, and team up with some jazz musicians to brave the world of New York jazz clubs. Maguire falls hard for Shelby, who is oblivious to her feelings, and when Wolland tries to intervene emotions get in the way of the artistry. The premise heightens the stakes/emotions of the musical numbers a bit, and Wolland and Shelby as Maguire's gay confidante and clueless cad, respectively, are at ease in their characterizations, while Maguire is still most at ease when vocalizing, but it does make for a format that should appeal to theatre and jazz fans in equal measure.

The three are all assured and very individual talents, who complement one another's styles well. The story is set well in motion with a trio version of a song I've only heard done as a virtuoso solo, "The Boy in 13 G," which Kristen Chenoweth introduced as "The Girl in 13 G". Maguire, who can do soprano trills and sultry stylings with equal aplomb, plays the field winningly, with special success on "I Must Have That Man," "Whatever Lola Wants," a Bette Midler-esque "Stuff Like That There" and a gorgeous, plaintive "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning." Shelby has a potent vocal instrument and individual style that is almost hypnotic to watch, and that he can take songs as tied to their originators as "Nature Boy" and "Over the Rainbow" and own them is indicative of his skills set. Wolland is the most assured thespian of the three and performs his feature numbers with character and passion, from the bluesy "I Want You to Be My Baby" to an ultra swingin' "Artificial Flowers." There are also enjoyable pair-ups such as an "On the Street Where You Live" by Shelby and Wolland (and the street is likelier Basin Street than in Covent Garden in their hands), an earthy "That Ain't Right" with Wolland and Maguire, and a roof raising "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" finale. Ace musicians Brian Gmerek (drums), JJ Sandberg (keyboards), and Jonathan Small (bass) hold up their end with great aplomb, and have some great reactions and takes when the plotline drama is being played out.

The show did feel about 10 minutes too long by my estimation at an early performance I attended, but that would be easily remedied with an eye on pacing, and shortening a few songs. Otherwise it's a solid, snappy affair, and one likely to delight a varied audience.

The Blue Fedoras in I'll Take Manhattan will next perform as a benefit for Seattle Musical Theatre, Saturday November 2, 2013, at SMT's Sand Point theatre, Magnuson Park Community Center Building, 7120 62nd Ave NE Seattle, WA 98115. For tickets, visit seattlemusicaltheatre.org.