Applause! Applause! Review of "Movin' On" at Don't Tell Mama by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

This review of “Movin’ On” at Don’t Tell Mama was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume III, Issue 1 (April, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"Movin' On" - Almquist, Cosler, Lauterbach & Stark

Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)

Reviewed 4/29/98 at 9:00 p.m.   

"Movin' On" is a new musical revue with music and lyrics by the very talented Tracy Stark, who also provided the musical direction and the arrangements for this revue. Also starring are Leasen Almquist, Christiann Cosler and Anne Lauterbach, three very pretty, sexy and energetic performers with good voices and good bodies which they used to please their audience following the expert direction and choreography provided by Morgan LaVere, for whom this revue is a showcase of his superb talent and abilities. Technical Direction and Lighting were provided by Shawn Moninger, a recent M.A.C. Award Winner.

I enjoyed this revue and feel that it has the potential to run for years. The performers were all very talented and did a great job with each of the songs, successfully selling each one to the audience. The choreography was the best I've seen in a cabaret show and the lighting and technical direction were delivered by a master. There was even one point when two of the girls turned the piano 360 degrees during a number and Tracy Stark didn't miss a note. Interesting props were used and a little shaking of the bodies here and there, all resulted in an enthusiastic response by the audience in attendance.  

Tracy Stark, looking prettier than I have ever seen her, was the creative genius behind this project. She has the potential to become a great composer. I loved her music, but I could have done without her superficial lyrics about love found, love lost and love yearned for, which are reflected in the titles of the following songs: "You Were There", "Come Back To Me", "The Only One Is You", "Stay With Me Tonight" -- well, you get the picture, or should I say, "Portrait". There wasn't a substantive, insightful or meaningful song in the bunch. The only ones that had possibilities were "Dreams" and "Child Of The Light", but even they fell short. Of course, there is no rule that lyrics must be meaningful, logical, moving or substantive and there is something to be said for the simple love song. It's only that I am not going to be the one to say it.

If you are looking for a lighthearted musical revue with pretty girls and some cute choreography (circa The Andrew Sisters), then you should not miss "Movin' On".