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THEATRE


August 13-August 26, 2010 GAY SAN DIEGO


15


Broadway is in for a rockin’ treat Robin And the


“Robin And The 7 Hoods” is


Broadway-bound, but San Diego audiences can catch this new mu- sical in their own backyard, long before the next Tony nominations are even announced.


THEATRESCENE CUAUHTÉMOC KISH


The show is a world premiere,


directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, who was raised in San Diego. The first note has Eric Schneider (Robbo) snap- ping his fingers to the beat of one of lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jimmy Van Heusen’s popular catalog, which includes the hits,“My Kind of Town (Chi- cago Is),”Come Blow Your Horn” and “Come Fly With Me.” Writer Rupert Holmes’ stage


book is borrowed from the movie of the same name; he just advances the time period to the ’60s and infuses it with mobster gangs who are constantly battling one another for territory. Adding to the impec- cable jukebox sounds are Gregg


Eric Schneider (center, as Robbo Ortona) and cast perform “My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)” in the world premiere of “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” a new musical at The Old Globe. (Courtesy Craig Schwartz)


Barnes’ costumes that shout out “style,” along with a great band, conducted by Mark Hummel, that belies its diminutive size. The modern set features


stacked rows of square spaces that frame individual actors or pairings, capturing them like an album of treasured family photos. Schneider sings well—and


with a touch of Sinatra—with his sidekick, Little John Dante (Will Chase), and even better when he’s crooning with Kelly Sullivan (Marian Archer), who plays a TV host and his love interest, constantly pushing Robbo toward


the good side of life. Adam Heller’s Lieutenant


Nottingham does especially fine work on “High Hopes,” while Amy Spanger (Alana O’Dell) makes very pretty music throughout the production. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s a “looker” as well. Apart from their winning vocals, these two show a comedic side that adds another dimen- sion, with sporadic gags that run throughout the show. The ingredients are all here: voices that make Cahn and Van Heusen proud, distinctive choreography, actors who know


how to strut their stuff (including tap-dancing), music that swings nicely, and a story that sets up the material in a smooth, straight- forward manner. It may (or may not) be enough to get this one to Broadway, but right now you’d be foolish to pass up an opportu- nity to see this entertaining and highly-polished production in your own backyard.


Eric Schneider as Robbo Ortona and Kelly Sullivan as Marian Ar- cher singing “I Like to Lead When I Dance.” (Courtesy Craig Schwartz)


7 Hoods Through August 29 Old Globe Theatre theoldglobe.org (619) 234-5623 Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays, 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m. Sundays, 2 & 7 p.m.


Amy Spanger (as Alana O’Dell) sings “Same Old Song and Dance” (with Andrew Cao, Aleks Pevec and Brian Shepard) in the world premiere of “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” a new musical at The Old Globe. (Courtesy Craig Schwartz)


FROM PAGE 14 DINING


stemware. In the cooking profession, advanced intuition is worth a thou-


sand hours of schooling. And when it appears in your mouth at such humble neighborhood joints as this, every leftover scrap demands a dog- gie bag—or prompts tears when accidentally left behind. So much for my reheated pierogi lunch the following day.


Café 21’s homemade seashell cookies with soft meringue, walnuts and cranberries. (Courtesy Café 21)


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