Review: '8-Track The Sounds of the 70's' at CT Cabaret Theatre

Dedicated to my mother, who raised five children through the 70’s

Berlin, CT - Connecticut Cabaret Theatre opened a fun musical called 8-Track The Sounds of the 70’s. The CCT is celebrating their 23rd year of entertainment.

The show invites ticket holders to put on your leisure suit and flowered shirt, halter top and wrap-around skirt (and don't forget your platform shoes) and boogie down to ten years of ground-breaking music in this blast from the past. Those of us who grew up during the seventies will recognize just about every song that is performed, even if we don’t always agree with which hits made the cut into the two acts. I heard hits made famous by The Emotions, The Carpenters, LaBelle, Barry Manilow, Marvin Gaye, The Doobie Brothers, The Bee Gees, Helen Reddy and K.C. & the Sunshine Band and I enjoyed those done in four-part harmony the most. I was also partial to the pieces recorded by Melissa Manchester and Cat Stevens that were performed in the first act.

8 TRACK is a total jukebox musical conceived by Rick Seeber, who most likely chose the more than 50 hits to include, with musical arrangements by Michael Gribbin. Mr. Seeber is a theatrical and audio producer director who also wrote BEEHIVE, The 60’s Musical; his newest show is COUNTRY IS -The Music of Main Street. Mr. Gribbin was an associate conductor of the national tours of shows like WICKED, LES MIZ, and THE LION KING.

The CCT production was both produced and directed by Kris McMurray with “happenin’” musical direction by TJ Thompson. While there were virtually no spoken lines, the director gave the four cast members several chances to use their acting skills in some of the best group numbers, and you can expect plenty of dancing that evokes the era and really makes the numbers pop. Naturally, Mr. Thompson made sure that the vocals sounded their best, although I noticed some sound issues that definitely improved as the numbers continued.

The first act contains some thematic pairings of songs from the early 70’s, like “I Am Woman” and “Alone Again, Naturally,” and ends strongly with “The Letter.” After a fifteen-minute intermission and a strong number by the band, we were reminded of “One Toke Over the Line,” “Convoy,” and then came the not unexpected Disco Medley.

Dan Frye, a CT native that makes his first musical appearance in his home state since high school, did well with his solos and as part of the ensemble numbers. I thought that Jayson Beaulieu, in his fifth show with this theatre, stole many scenes with his easy charm.

Emily Gray (RESPECT, THE BIKINIS at CCT, ) is a WestConn graduate who has a lovely stage presence that doesn’t quit. It was also great to see Erica Whitfield, a CCSU grad, back on the CCT stage; she displayed her wonderful singing voice once again.

The Sunshine Band, directed by Mr. Thompson (in a patterned jacket for the second act,) wonderfully played the various compositions that became popular during the decade. Dan Kaye was on bass, Jamie Sherwood did a great job with the guitar line and Tim Urso covered percussion. James J. Moran was, as always, in charge of all things technical. The costumes stayed the same for the first acts featuring the music of the first part of the 70’s, but the second had some great changes. I loved the white disco ensembles and wigs for the final scenes, especially the one-shoulder jumpsuit for Ms. Whitfield.

The performance I attended was packed with patrons enjoying the cabaret atmosphere and many of them sang along as they had been invited to do during Mr. McMurray’s curtain speech. At my table, however, there sat some patrons who had strong opinions about the music of the 70s and much more. One expressed their gratitude that my guest had to cancel because it was already crowded enough at the table. (Ouch!) Another shared opinions with their guest throughout the two acts, loud enough to border on rudeness to the performers and musicians and certainly those of us unlucky enough to share the table. Of course, this was not the fault of the theatre and I tried mightily to not let these tablemates color my enjoyment of the performance.

You can visit the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre & Performing Arts Center website for shout outs to the cast and musicians from two 70’s celebrities.

8-TRACKS runs weekends through February 8. Book your tickets today at ctcabaret.com

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

Click here to read about Naugatuck/Bethwood Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis.