“Words and Music- The Music of Hallett and Robinson” written by old friends Aaron Robinson and Suzy Hallett made its Maine debut on the world stage at the delightfully intimate “Footlight’s Theater in Falmouth last weekend. Executive Artistic Director of The Footlights Theater Michael Tobin brought his considerable talent and imagination to the Directing and staging of the show. His heart and commitment to live theater is evident in the devotion he adds to every production at The Footlights, for which everyone who sets foot in the cozy space owes him gratitude. Now on to the show:

 This exciting new revue features original songs celebrating love, life, and laughter. In the styles of Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, Burt Bacharach, and Comden and Green, these songs are a refreshing change in the sometimes-stale recent theater world of revival and reprise. This show is new, fresh, and crisp as the fall days we long for in the long days of summer. How did a collaboration like this happen? It must have taken months and months of arduous work. Well, no. Effort, yes. Talent, absolutely. Probably agony but mostly these pieces were written for the sheer joy of … words and music.

Sometimes a leap of faith takes us where we never thought to go. Sometimes it is just a “bee in a bonnet” that simply won’t let go. The critter buzzes and bites and annoys until you must pay attention. It was a bee that bit Suzy Hallett on April 5th of 2017. She sent an email to her old friend, Aaron Robinson. “ … a bee in my bonnet,” she said, “ let’s write a song together! You write the music; I write the lyrics.”  She continued, “If this idea doesn’t make you want to throw up let’s talk about it.” Hallett send Robinson a lyric. She expected to hear back in a week, but not the next day with a completed song. She sent another, et voila! Another completed song. Less than six weeks later the two had a folio of songs.

Collaborations of friends have produced our most beloved musicals. Like the renowned team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Hallett and Robinson found an absence of new material on the current scene, felt the bite of the creative bee, and began creating their own. They discovered an unexpected ability to write librettos, lyrics, and music together.

There is nothing like the first time an audience hears songs they have never heard before given life by talented performers. The reaction of an audience may not be the basis for an impartial review, but there is nothing in this show that lends itself to impartiality. The audience ended the show on their feet with happy tears. Fair disclosure, this writer has known and loved the authors for over (insert mumble here) decades. That said, I am still a tough critic who often steps on toes.

The cast is, in a word, stellar. Danielle Vayenas, David Myers, Jr., Eliza Ruth Watson, and Jeffrey Caron open the show with “Hello, Old Friends,” in the style of Stephen Sondheim. It’s a jaunty number celebrating old and new friends as the singers pair off musically with separate melodies before coming together in a bright counterpoint. Followed quickly by company numbers that harken back to the days of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, these catchy tunes set the mood for the evening.

 The dialogue does not have the temerity to pretend it is a script. It introduces the words and music as is appropriate for a revue. It is refreshing as it lets the vocal talent and beautiful performances shine through without unnecessary fillers.

The songs, oh the songs. “Kissed by the Moon” is a lilting waltz in the style of vaudeville’s gilded age. “Why Won’t You Dance With Me?” is a comedic number referencing musical quotes from “You Are My Lucky Star” all the way to a waltz by Johann Strauss. “The Piano Player,” in the style of Fats Waller’s “This Joint is Jumpin” and “Handful of Keys,” is reminiscent of what one imagines the Cotton Club to have been in the 1940s. The temptation to dance in the aisles may be overwhelming. “Quiet Christmas” is surely destined to become a Christmas classic, and just think YOU can be among those to hear it first!

Eliza Ruth Watson brought it all to the stage with her distinctive voice and personality in every number but especially, “What is Love,” It’s really a shame she is so shy, (kidding, if you don’t know). As a director, I would be delighted to get her into any show, any time, but I’d NEVER poach… oh wait.

Danielle Vayenas delivers with grace and charm and a lovely soprano. She has a couple of the more lyrical solos “Night Time” and the beautiful “Maine Lullaby.” She charmed the audience totally with her soaring tones,

“Final Wish” was the only song that caused a bit of consternation between the team of Hallett and Robinson, friends. When Suzy wrote the lyrics for “Final Wish,” she had a sassy, in-your-face kind of number in mind. When Aaron received the emailed lyrics (they did not plan any of these songs in advance), he ‘heard’ a whispered wish for that first (and last) great passion. The result is a heart-wrenching song sung poignantly and with exquisite vocals by Vayenas. A taste of the lyrics: “My time upon this earth has been marked with mixed reviews, first act romance has escaped me, now I long for my debut” and “I refuse to turn the page until I’ve truly loved someone.”

David Myers, Jr. who can’t help being endearing, brings his wonderful, charming stage presence to every moment, He may frolic through the funny “Summer Day” then offer up a touching and brilliantly polished and nuanced performance of “Love Found Me” in the next moment. That smile, tho….

Jeffrey Caron, another charmer, brought a wistful and heart touching element to his “Kissed by the Moon” and “Halfway to Nowhere.” His vocal expertise, polish, and style added the perfect fourth to this wonderful ensemble.

Caron leads the penultimate number “Wondering Why.”  Originally written and dedicated to is the victims and families of the Las Vegas tragedy in 2017, it could become an anthem for our losses and shortcomings in recent times  It is a powerful and moving piece that evokes “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and Jeffery Caron leads the ensemble with a stellar performance.  The touching backdrops by Director Tobin were perfect,

The Outro to the show is an up-tempo, bouncy number that sounds as though it belongs in a Broadway Show. It might provoke a bit of “humming as you leave the theater.”  

This show will make you think, laugh, and hopefully celebrate that we can create such fun and have a treasure right here in our little corner of the world, The Footlights Theater. Get your tickets early and spread the word. This is just what we need, new words, new music and a way to cheer for the amazing talents that create, perform, and produce wonderful theater here at home.

Words & Music plays through November 23, with performances on Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm. The cost is a very affordable $20 ticket price. The theater continues to be covid safe with their protocol, although masks are optional. Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, ME. Box Office (207) 747-5434. Walk-ins welcome. www.thefootlightstheatre.com