Cabaret Review by Ron Fassler . . . .
Dancers Over 40, the thirty-year-old charitable organization founded as “a community of support for all dancers entering—or continuing their creative years,” put on a fundraiser Monday night at 54 Below: Comedy Tonight! A Roast of Lee Roy Reams. Hosted and directed by the versatile Jim Brochu, the event was true to its title in thoroughly roasting its honoree in simultaneously loving and raunchy ways. It also helped raise some dough, which is fantastic.
The sold-out crowd couldn’t get enough of Lee Roy’s various friends who took to the stage for some gentle ribbing as well video tributes from Nathan Lane, Rex Smith, Richard Kind, and Brandon Maggart (Lee Roy’s co-star from the hit musical Applause, which opened 54 years ago last week). From the moment the show started and Lee Roy made his entrance in the company of two scantily clad men (naked except for gold jock straps), the tone was set. This was going to be high camp and low humor all the way, with Jim Brochu channeling Red Buttons on steroids most of the night (“As Lee Roy once told Isadora Duncan, add a scarf—it’ll kill ‘em!”). A fabulous host, he kept the night moving and was never at a loss for a comeback or a quip. So was Lee Roy, for that matter, who shouted from his seat to Melissa Errico, looking gorgeous in a busty dress, “Honey, if Jesus had those on the mount, he wouldn’t have been devoid of loaves!”
Billy Stritch took to the Steinway with a rendition of a song he prepared especially: “Nothing to Do But Dance,” composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Christopher Gore. It’s a Lee Roy favorite from a musical that never got off the ground and something he’s been begging his friend Billy to sing for years. Stritch performed with his typical flair and proved that even a Cy Coleman trunk tune is better than most of what passes in Broadway musicals these days (sorry, but it’s true). The great Penny Fuller, another of Lee Roy’s Applause castmates, sang a medley of Charles Strouse and Lee Adams songs from the show that got the longest sustained ovation of the night. It was thrilling to see her return so brilliantly to the role that won her the first of her two Tony nominations. And Judy Kaye delivered a superb rendition of the Gershwins’ “Our Love is Here to Stay,” beautifully backed by musical director Fred Barton on piano, who accompanied most of the evening’s musical talent.
Alex Rybeck, another great piano talent, was on hand to reminisce about the many days and nights he’s spent with Lee Roy. His story about Lee Roy doing a u-turn at a checkout counter in Portugal, after buying a batch of sweatshirts that said “Lisbon” on their front, finished with the punchline “My nieces and nephews live in Kentucky and they’ll think these all say lesbian!” The aforementioned Melissa Errico’s heartfelt rendition of Burton Lane and Yip Harburg’s “How Are Things in Glocca Morra” was an exceptional highlight. And one of Lee Roy’s oldest friends, Pamela Myers, sang “You’re the Top,” a song she said she usually sang with him. She figured out a way to do it solo and make it her own in a charming fashion.
Finally, it was time for Lee Roy to take to the stage (referring to him by his first name rather than his last feels appropriate here—he’s Lee Roy to everyone). He began by saying, “If I die tonight I couldn’t be happier,” and made a lovely speech that was warm and welcoming. He also paid tribute to 54 Below as the fine New York institution it is, saying, “We preserve our history here and we make it, too. I’m spoiled rotten as I love every minute of it.” He then delved into a medley of songs with the word “dance” in their titles (Alex Rybeck on the piano) and sang out with his customary belt. It was the perfect capper to a perfect evening.
Comedy Tonight! A Roast of Lee Roy Reams took place Monday, April 1 at 54 Below (254 W 54th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). www.54Below.com For further information about Dancers Over 40, please visit www.dancersover40.org
Photos: Maryann Lopinto
