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December 24 - January 6, 2004 • Vol. 24 - No. 52 A classy production, RESPECT is the sum total of all its parts, starting
with the concept, and a very interesting one at that. Conceived in 1999
by Vanderbilt Professor Dr. Dorothy Marcic, as a presentation on the
equality of women, she decided to add some music to her programs and,
in doing so, found that popular music could almost re-create the history
of women. It was in that manner, that she told the story of their place
in the 20th century. This precluded the book, the CD, the one-woman
show, and presently a sold-out production of RESPECT: A Musical Journey
of Women. A most gifted cast, all with very impressive resumes, starting with Miki Edelman, as the Author/Narrator, and the ensemble, stately jazz stylist, Paulette Dozier, all-around opera and musical soloist, Emily Price, and the show’s standout, musical actress, Jeanette Fitzpatrick, executed interpretations with panache. These abundantly versatile and attractive performers tackled a most intricate score with ease. Those sure-footed ladies harmonized and danced their way up and down a large circular staircase in a cacophony of attitudes; power, silliness, determination, hysteria, acrimony, wonderment; all spoofing the subservience endured by women of yesteryear to the independence of today. From the Gibson Girl, the Vamp, and Betty Boop, the suffragettes, the women left behind in the wars, the work force, the sexual revolution, their achievements and attainments toward greatness in world affairs, (oh yes, let’s not forget affairs) marriage, then and now; everything coming back to the perfunctory “I Am Woman,” “Stand By Your Man” and if not, “I Will Survive.” This musical variation transforms and inspires, providing a powerful message; not just from the standpoint of a theatergoer; but moreso, from its origin as a college level lecture piece. It underscores the fact that when tastefully presented, complete with solid musicians and effervescent performers, an intellectually projected piece such as RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women, can certainly induce a smile in the heart of the observer, and can stand tall along side of any similar endeavor. Author Dorothy Marcic has been called a great motivational speaker, and now she can take her place among the great theatrical providers. Having said that, the bottom line here is that this show that has been playing to full houses, is a feel-good, can’t-stop-raving-about-it BALL, and a MUST SEE! You Go, Girl! “RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women” is playing through
January 30 at the Stage Door’s 26th Street Theatre, located at
1444 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors. To buy tickets, call 954-344-7765.
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There’s a wonderful little theatre tucked away in a wonderful
little strip mall, with a wonderful little show that’s sure to
make it wonderfully BIG! Currently enjoying a respectable run at The
Stage Door’s 26th Street Theatre, Wilton Manors, after completing
a successful sold-out run at The Cuillo Centre for the Arts in West
Palm Beach, RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women, raises the bar on all
its forerunners and can set the standard for this particular form of
presentation. In all due respect to others of this genre, there are
very few overly impressive surprises in these creative times filled
with gimmicks, themes, and hooks. Most shows somehow find the successful
formula in juxtaposing any collection of songs into a somewhat chronological
series, and that is it: a perfect ploy for a perfect play. RESPECT stands
with full esteem, as it runs the gamut in terms of format, interest
and entertainment.