“Oil City Symphony” isn’t a symphony, and it has nothing to do with oil.
Instead, expect an evening of lively music, smiles and surprises in this professional production of the musical revue.
Also be prepared for audience participation and punch and cookies with the cast.
The show, which received awards and critical acclaim in its off-Broadway run, is a collaboration of Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk and Mary Murfitt.
It started out as a lounge act, and you can tell. It has that “clubby” feel, quiet jokes, talking to the audience. You can picture them interrupting patrons in mid-martini to do the Hoky Poky.
And if you go, you’ll get to do the Hoky Poky, too.
The professional cast of Craver, as Mike; Michael Rice, as Mark; Christine Elliott, as Mary; and Klea
Blackhurst, as Debbie; fully inhabit their characters, so you’ll believe every silly bit of schtick and pose they throw at you.
The Oil City Symphony is actually a group of friends, joined by their love of high school music lessons. They decide to put it to good use and perform “recitals” for their friends and classmates.
The nostalgic tone gives the show plenty of opportunities to use familiar music and includes such original numbers as “Ohio Afternoon,” a real hoot, sung by Debbie, and “Beehive Polka,” a buzzing good time that Mary lays down.
Blackhurst’s Debbie often steals the show with her piercing Mid-Western mom and professional drummer personality and big voice, looking mahhhvelous in a purple, off-the-shoulder dress.
Elliott’s Mary, the very picture of the repressed music teacher, uses her face to reveal her soul, with frowns and grimaces and moments of wild abandon. With her violin, the true love of her life, she’s like a lioness, ready to pounce.
Craver plays the quiet one with the multi-talented synthesizer. Decked out in a tacky tuxedo, he has an especially good time with Rice in a piano-synthesizer duel. Watch him sing “Iris,” and you’ll know all about him.
Rice, the piano man, shows all the awkwardness of a guy who’s more comfortable playing than talking and belts out a great tune, “My Old Kentucky Rock-n-Roll Home,” to close the show.
At times, as the characters work the audience and awkwardly try to make impromptu remarks, you’ll swear you’re watching one of those infomercials selling an album of oldies.
The funniest thing, though, is you’ll think you know these people. It’s easy to believe they’re a bunch of high school buddies in their first mid-life crisis, nostalgic for the good old days.
The cast seems to have fun, which is good, because that’s the only way this premise will work and bring the audience along.
What a surprise to see the opening night audience doing the Hoky Poky. Even the men were putting their right hands out and turning all around.
With a rousing and very funny encore of the theme from “Exodus,” the show ended just at 9 p.m., prompting a standing ovation on opening night.
Reid Leonard directs and designed the set, which comes complete with a disco ball.
This fund-raiser for Piedmont Players’ new elevator is a fun evening of music and memories that’s sure to warm up a cold night. It’s a treat to spend time with the group.
“Oil City Symphony,” presented by Piedmont Players and The Animal Care Center of Salisbury, continues tonight and Saturday and Jan. 31-Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Jan. 28 at the Meroney Theater. Tickets are $21 for adults and $19 for students and seniors 62 and older. To reserve tickets, call 633-5471.
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