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Los Angeles Times THEATER REVIEW
- Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007  By Daryl H. Miller, Los Angeles Times Staff
Writer That life-altering moment, seemingly designed
"to inform you that you are officially old," is invoked
just seconds into the revamped revue "Too Old for the Chorus."
It's greeted with laughs of recognition, the first of many as
the show resurfaces as part of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment
series at La Mirada Theatre. The setting is a boho-chic coffeehouse/cafe, where regulars -- played by Eileen Barnett, David Holmes, Robert Loftin, Diane Vincent and Robert Yacko -- commiserate about growing older. Snippets of dialogue link the 20 songs, which were written by three contributors to the L.A. and off-Broadway phenomenon "Naked Boys Singing." Pleasant if unmemorable, the tunes are written mostly in a light-pop vein, with overlays of such styles as ragtime, bossa nova, doo-wop, jazz and, amusingly, rap. A five-person band, tucked into an alcove, provides energetic backup. Time and again, ache gives way to good humor and renewed determination, as in "Invisible," sung by the men. The businessman and the showbiz gypsy want to know, "When did the bright young boy on everyone's list cease to exist?" The onetime hot-stuff surfer has a sunnier view. "Since I've been shut out, now I can let my gut out," he exults. By the end, the word "invisible" has been turned into "invincible." The performers are character singers, for the most part, not beautiful vocalists. The exception is Yacko, in warm, rich form. Since its premiere at the Celebration Theatre in 1999, the show -- conceived by Mark Winkler and written with Marie Cain and Shelly Markham -- has been thoroughly rewritten. Nearly half of the songs are new, but perhaps more tellingly, the piece bears little trace of its origins at the gay-lesbian-themed Celebration, nor of its original focus on show people. A single character remains to represent both communities. Generic and unthreatening, the material nevertheless elicits misty-eyed moments in this staging by Joel Bishoff. Don't expect catharsis, but perhaps, at least, you'll leave rethinking 50 as "27, with 23 years of experience."
"...the show's dramatic highlight is 'Child Is Father to the Man' "... "the gifted quintet (Eileen Barnett, David Holmes, Robert Loftin, Diane Vincent and Robert Yacko, directed by Joel Bishoff) generates a bumper crop of good will and laughs."
"The show written by Mark Winkler, Marie Cain and Shelly Markham, directed by Joel Bishoff... is amusing, well-acted and occasionally poignant." "Diane Vincent is hilarious in Yogarobics, where she questions the sanity of the yoga craze." "Robert Yacko has a ball putting on his cap backward and busting moves in Mad As Hell." "Then there are the heart tugging moments, such as Glenn's ode to his dogs, past and present. David Holmes' performance on Dog Passages made the gent in the next seat tear up." "Robert Loftin gets to show off his considerable tapping skills in When Fifty Wore a Tux." "Diane Vincent and Eileen Barnett
are hilarious when they contemplate body improvements in
"A few revues have tried to deal with aging issues with greater or lesser success... one of the most attractive is Too Old for the Chorus." "The show uses humor, pathos and sheer recognition to pay homage to the shock and subtle changes of mid-life." "Eileen Barnett, David Homes, Robert Loftin, Diane Vincent and Robert Yacko all sing and dance with style and intelligence." "Vincent has a particular wit, shining on silly-wonderful songs like Menopause Rag and Yogarobics." "... Too Old for the Chorus rides far higher than any other salute to this age group one has seen in the southland."
"The Lyrics are witty..." "The performers are adept actor-dancers, bringing energy, fun and occasional poignancy to the proceedings." "Child is Father to the Man is a gently heart-rending song in a skillfully performed scene..." "Eileen Barnett excels in the melancholy The Road Not Taken." "Eileen Barnett and Diane Vincent are hilarious in their Lunch Hour Lift" "Robert Loftin sparkles in his nifty soft shoe showstopper When 50 Wore A Tux" "Baby Boomers will find resonance and uplift... in this unpretentiously enjoyable valentine to aging contentedly." EVENT NEWS TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS The pleasing musical comedy review TOO OLD FOR THE CHORUS, currently at the neighboring La Mirada Theatre works well, offering an entertaining, yet touching look at real life issues. Like other successful live shows (consider: Menopause the Musical), this show is also a lighthearted, predominantly funny, "Review" with a very real message -- "Hey, World, Don't Count Us Out, Yet!" The three "mature" men and two mature women in the cast are stage dynamos. They generate as much energy and bring as much talent to the show as a team of twice their number (or half their age). Eileen Barnett (lovely, witty and versatile performer), David Holmes (BIG voice, warmth and charm), Robert Loftin (fine voice, "super" dancer), Diane Vincent (lovable musical comedy pro) and Robert Yacko (absolutely natural all-around leading man) are all winningly believable in their roles. Why? -- Because they truly are 50+ and each is clearly still ready and able to deliver showstoppers vocally, choreographically and comedically. Also on the stately La Mirada stage, five live musicians led by keyboardist/Musical Director, Lisa Lemay fill the showplace with rhythmic verve. Dana Solimando's Choreography is inventive and fun. Pulling it all together, Director Joel Bishoff brings us a warmly enjoyable often funny production. The show soars on musical-comedy highlights like the funny gems "Every Seven Seconds", "Memory Moment", "Latebloomer", "Crush", "Yogarobics", "Lunch Hour Lift", "When 50 Wore a Tux" and the female and male "Menopause" numbers. Emotionally touching numbers like "Dog Passages", "Child is Father to the Man" and "The Road Not Taken" add important counterpoint ("dramatic relief") to the fast-paced comedic whirlwinds.
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