Show in Review: 

“Riverboats & Ragtime”

BY BARBARA YORESH    

Samuel (Mark Twain) Clemens, Edna (Show Boat) Ferber, ragtime genius Scott Joplin, Tina (“Proud Mary”) Turner and New Orleans-based Chef Emeril Lagasse would have all given a big “thumbs up” to “Riverboats & Ragtime,” the high-energy, high-stepping, new show that “kicks it up a notch” (actually lots of notches) at Theatre-Go-Round Dinner Theatre in Vero Beach.

Created by Artistic Director and theatre owner Jon Putzke, “Riverboats & Ragtime” opened June 11 to a full house and is a lively musical journey aboard a show boat down the Mississippi River with accompanying culinary delights that evoke the best of Delta cuisine. The show performs June 18-20; July 9-11, 16-18 and August 13-15 and 20-22. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Executive Chef Betty Nobles set the mood of the Mississippi by offering patrons a dinner featuring a tasty salad course followed by New Orleans Jambalaya or Baked Bayou Ham Steak. It was yummy, and lots easier than booking a table at Brennan’s in the Big Easy. Beverage Manager Mark Norcross’ house specialty drink, River Berry on the Levee, was a refreshingly tasty libation that continued the themed fun.

Costume designer Marg Putzke authentically outfitted saloon girls with feathered headpieces, bustiers and high-buttoned shoes who sing and dance up a storm as well as two riverboat gambler types in wide-brimmed black hats, black satin vests and shirts with sleeve garters.

Set design by Jeffrey Zacharey further re-creates the docks and levees of the muddy waters as well as the interior of the show boat itself. You can almost hear the Mississippi River boat pilot calling out the river’s depth: “mark twain,” which meant Mark number two – two fathoms or 12 feet, the depth needed for safe steamboat clearance.

“Riverboats & Ragtime” presents 45 songs and titles in a two-act presentation that spans a century of music including Americana, ragtime, gospel, minstrel and more. Joining Theatre-Go-Round regular cast members Eleanor Dixon, Caitlin Harris, Gregory Harris and Beth McKenzie-Shestak are newcomers Shamara Turner and Robin Volsky whose talents easily meshed with the capable veterans.

As narrated by Gregory Harris, “Riverboats and Ragtime” notes the “story of our great land is a proud one with our diverse history of music…and a rich tapestry of melody and harmony.”

With musical arrangements by Jeff Michaels and Michael Holloday and musical direction by Gregory Harris, the show features river-themed favorites that are cleverly interwoven into medleys by the cast. These guys and girls can sing! And thanks to Ms. McKenzie-Shestak’s deft choreography, they dance and high-kick as well, further creating that show boat feel. This is a rousing good time and the audience hooted its approval all evening as cast members wove their way among the tables and re-assembled on stage.

A touch of vaudeville – complete with corny jokes – started the fun as the show boat began its musical journey which would include banjo and river medleys, songs of the past, blues and gospel, ragtime and more. A rousing singing-dancing “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee” featuring Ms. McKenzie-Shestak and the cast ended the first act with “intermission” shouted in unison on the song’s last note.

But before they took a much-needed break (and dessert service began featuring a specially created Mississippi Mud Pie) the cast (and audience) sang happy birthday to a 29-year-old patron named Pam and 100-year-old Peg whose vigor and remarkable tableside dancing could have earned her a role in the cast.

“Riverboats & Ragtime” includes classic hits such as “Ol’ Man River” from the 1927 musical Show Boat adapted from Edna Ferber’s novel as well as “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from Guys and Dolls. Each cast member shines in solos as well as ensemble. The melding of six outstanding voices is impressively powerful.

They sing and dance to a crescendo with the final river beat medley songs of Act II. Ms. Turner does her surname namesake Tina Turner proud with her rendition of “Proud Mary” followed by Ms. Mckenzie-Shestak and the cast for another Tina Turner hit “River Deep, Mountain High.” For those of us old enough to remember the Ike and Tina Turner Revue and the Ikettes, it was pure nostalgia, fun and a credible tribute to those music legends. Eleanor Dixon provided another "blast from the past" with "Blue Bayou" made famous by Linda Ronstadt and sung in fine form by Ms. Dixon.

The show boat re-docked with “You Can’t Stop the Beat” featuring Caitlin Harris (wife of Gregory and expecting their first child) and the cast. No, you really can’t stop the beat of this fabulous, fun show, so don’t even try. Just go see it.

Theatre-Go-Round is conveniently located at Aviation Boulevard and Airport Drive at 2625 34th Ave. in Vero Beach and offers unbeatable value for dining and entertainment. For reservations and information; call (772) 569-1116.

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