Entertainment News

EASY READER
Redondo Beach, California
JANUARY 2005

ETHEL MERMAN’S BROADWAY

by DEANNA ALISA ABLESER

They Say It’s Wonderful that There’s No Business Like Show Business, and Rita McKenzie as Ethel Merman in Ethel Merman’s Broadway definitely knows the wonders of show business.

Ethel Merman’s Broadway is a one-woman show that captures the essence and spirit of the absolutely amazing Ethel Merman. McKenzie captures the personality and vocal stylings of Merman and brings Merman’s humanity to the audience. She also balances out the piece, mixing personal tales, popular songs, and audience interaction into one classy act. Under the premise of interviewing for a movie about Merman’s life, McKenzie really lets us into Merman’s history from her start as a secretary (120 words-a-minute) to her becoming the “Queen of the Broadway Musical.” McKenzie also lets us into Merman’s soul as we learn about her four husbands and her two children, Little Ethel and Little Bobby.

McKenzie uses audience interaction in just the right mix. From having audience members join her in There’s no Business like Show Business to passing out Ritz crackers with jalapeno dip to prove that she is “the hostess with the mostess” from Call Me Madam to signing autographs after the show, the audience begins to feel a real kinship with McKenzie and, through her, with Merman.

McKenzie does all the favorites along with some lesser-known songs. Though fighting a bad cold, McKenzie belts the songs out with fervor and passion. My personal favorites from the evening were a medley of Annie Get Your Gun songs and a show-stopping rendition of Some People and Everything’s Coming Up Roses.

Writing (Christopher Powich and Rita McKenzie) and direction (Powich) really give the show a nice sense. It’s not all singing, it’s not all audience interaction, it’s not all story after story; it’s a nice blend of Ethel. Musical direction (Ron Snyder) adds sweetly to that mixture as does lighting design (Peter L. Smith) and costume design (Eric Winterling).

If you are an Ethel Merman fan, you really can’t go wrong with this show. McKenzie obviously respects, adores, and treasures Ethel Merman. So, go ahead, see it. You never know what “roses” might just be coming up for you.