Florida Repertory Theatre's "A Dash of Rosemary!" performs a bit of theatrical magic. The musical revue conjures the life and times of a popular entertainer without being able to rely on her famous face or voice to complete the trick.
But materialize Rosemary Clooney does, through the songs she made famous and through the narrative that outlines her dramatic story. They help flesh out the personality behind the celebrity, who appears only in recognizable silhouettes on the sides of the Araced Theartre proscenium.
Fans of the "girl singer" as she was known, will find this a pleasant stroll down memory lane. But even theatergoers who aren't familiar with the three dozen songs woven together here can find Clooney's music and story engaging. (Did you know the crooner was standing only a few feet away from Robert F. Kennedy when he was assassinated?) What all the ups and downs of her career and personal life recounted, it's like a VH1 "Behind the Music" for the senior set.
Backed by a terrific band led by musical director John Bell, three actor-signers trace Clooney's history through her hits, starting appropriately with "Sentimental Journey" and ending with "Secret of Life." The song selection mirrors the story line more effectively than most musical revues.
Nicole Fenstad, Wendy Hayes and Aaron Lake occasionally act out sketchy scenes between Clooney and people in her life but for the most part don't try to mimic or impersonate the singer. There interpretations of her songs are their own, and their vocalizing stands up very well on its own.
Director Douglas Kampsen, who also wrote the show, keeps the two-hour production moving fluidly without rushing the pace. Natural ebbs and flows are linked to the tunes and moods, whether it's a comical number like "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me" or the forlorn "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues."
Debra Denys Smith's choreography is limited to the occasional soft shoe, which helps keep the focus on the music. The set by Paul Feraldi is simple but elegant, with winding stairs, flowing curtains and glittering chandeliers.
If all you know of Clooney is her relation with her movie star nephew George or the novelty hit "Mambo Italiano" then "A Dash of Rosemary" offers a fuller picture of the girl singer.
