REVIEW: Standards live on in 'That's Life' cabaret

There are some terrific old songs beautifully sung andf sounding fresh in “That’s Life,” the opening show in the new season of the Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret.

But the production doesn’t quite achieve its stated goal of recalling or evoking the glamorous or hip supper clubs that were popular in New York, Las Vegas and elsewhere in the 1950s and 1960s.

That was the age of the Rat Pack, and I suppose the trio of men – Jeff Pierce, Arthur W. Marks and Eric Collins — who make up the True Tones, are meant to represent Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. But they don’t quite have the swagger, style or personalities that you associate with those classic performers.

They are joined by “guest singer” Stacey Harris.

Eric Collins and Stacey Harris are among the quartet of singers featured in "That's Life" at Florida Studio Theatre's Cabaret. COURTESY PHOTO / AMY STEINMETZ

Whatever their personalities, the men sound great together and in most of their solo moments — particularly Collins — in the arrangements created by pianist Jim Prosser.
They create big sounds and move well under the direction and choreography of Dennis Courtney.

But you don’t get a sense of who they are or are supposed to be the way the show has been conceived by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Prosser. Their banter can be self-deprecating or insulting — the kind you’d expect from the Rat Pack — but it’s more nasty than funny from these seemingly nice guys.

Some songs or comments early in the show might better set up the kinds of comments that come later on.

The show also could use more character or story songs, like the poignant version of “Mr. Bojangles” that Marks sings as a tribute to Davis.

But there’s no denying the joyous harmonies in “Moments to Remember,” “Mr. Sandman” or “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” among the songs from the 1950s and 1960s that fill the show.

Harris is sweet and/or funny representing the female singers of the era, whether Rosemary Clooney’s “Come-on-a My House” or Peggy Lee’s “Fever.”

The FST cabaret shows usually have a stronger point of view than is evident in “That’s Life,” but the music is a pleasure.

THEATER REVIEW
THAT’S LIFE
Developed by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Jim Prosser. Directed and choreographed by Dennis Courtney. Reviewed Nov. 1. Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Through Jan. 2. Tickets are $26-$29. 366-9000; floridastudiiotheatre.org.