Fond du Lac Community Theatre presented the musical revue

By arrangement with Derek Glynne

An entertainment based on the words and music of Cole Porter

Devised by Benny Green and Alan Strachan

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter.

    "Cole," was a lively musical based on the life of the legendary composer, Cole Porter.  Set to the incredible music that Porter himself composed, "Cole" tells his life story.  The musical numbers are from Cole Porter's Broadway hit shows, so the show is composed of songs from some of the greatest shows from Broadway's rich history.

    The show is a tribute to Cole Porter's music and his artistic excellence.  Porter was an American songwriter and composer for almost fifty years, from 1910 to 1958.  Porter wrote lyrics and music for 26 Broadway shows and at least five Hollywood films.

    The first act introduces the audience to Cole Porter and then covers his time at Yale and Harvard, his time in Paris, and his return to Manhattan and Broadway.  Each segment has musical numbers he wrote during those phases of his life, along with narratives about him.  Act II is a musical montage of some of his romantic songs, and his return to Broadway.

    Tickets were $12.00.  "Cole" was presented on two consecutive weekends, as follows:

    A review of "Cole" was published in our local newspaper,  the Reporter, on February 24, 2002, page A6.  That critique is reproduced below.

"Cole" music revue proves delightful

By John Silah, for the Reporter

     "Another Op'nin, Another Show."  It's a rousing opening number in the show, and an appropriate choice to lead off a musical revue.  The song captures the spirit of Theatre, as many of the numbers do.

    A revue is a collection of the best songs, without a storyline.  It has been years since Community Theatre has performed a revue.  The last one was "From Jive to '85" in 1985.  It's a simple concept: just skip the talk and get to the good stuff - the music.

    Cole Porter's music is definitely the good stuff.  Porter wrote the music and his own lyrics, and both are superb, showcasing his remarkable talent.  Watching "Cole," one is reminded of just how wonderful Porter's music is, with its imaginative melodies, rich harmonies, and infectious rhythms.

    There is some talk - Porter's bio.  Most numbers are introduced by a brief snippet of the story of Porter's life, voiced by two narrators, Mary Muehlius and Bruce Seibel.  Bruce looks scholarly in his white beard and spectacles.  Both do well, and keep the material interesting.

    The singers are accompanied by a band of talented musicians: Phil Conrad, Cindi Immel, Bob Milanowski, Dale Shipe, Steve Spiedel and Paul Thelen.  The orchestra is up on stage, which is arranged like a big-band dance concert.  This setting, with the men wearing tuxedos and the ladies in elegant gowns, gives the whole Broadway production the feel of the Jazz Age from which the music sprang.

    At least eleven of the vocalists have such outstanding voices as to be of award-winning caliber, but all of the voices were in good form.  This is a tribute to our local talent pool, and to the Music Director, Carol Larson.

    George "Bud" Caldwell kicks off the show with "Wouldn't It Be Fun."  It is.  Deb Fett sings one of Porter's signature tunes, the showstopper "Anything Goes."  Melissa Bushner steps out from her usual backstage work to reveal her outstanding voice.

    Tiffany Spears demonstrates the same exceptional talent she showed us years ago when she was "Annie."   Todd Whittaker, who is slated to direct the next play, "Of Mice and Men." joins her in a couple of numbers.

    The show is sprinkled with humor.  Nancy Johnston and Sharon Wunsch clown around with "Be a Clown."  Their voices are wonderful, despite each singing with a  red ball clamped on her nose.  John Newman, Jeff Junig and Lyle Goebel have fun with "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."  Sharon, Lynn Moon, and Elise Thelen, making her Community Theatre debut,* ask, "Why Can't You Behave?"  The talents of Eric Franzen, Marie Holzmann, Brian Kolstad, and Dave Maruska, another newcomer to Community Theatre, complete the cast.

    Congratulations to Fond du Lac Community Theatre, and to Ward Trastek, who made his directorial debut with the production.  Porter's own legendary song titles sum it all up.  "I've Got You Under My Skin," because "You Do Something to Me."

    The audience at Thursday's performance agreed, giving the show a standing ovation, which is unusual for Opening Night.  For "Cole," the bottom line can be expressed: "You've Got That Thing" so "I Get a Kick Out of You."

    "Cole" is running for two consecutive weeks, so audiences can still catch it next weekend, on February 28, March 1 and 2 at 8:00 P.M. at the new Fond du Lac High School PAC.

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