Hudson Village Theatre Celebrates Cole Porter in COLE & CO., Now thru 3/29

Cole Porter is one of the 20th century's most prolific contributors to the Great American Songbook. His charming melodies and renowned wit reigned supreme on the stage and big screen in North America, the UK and Europe from the 1920s into the late 50s. The Hudson Music Club and the Hudson Village Theatre team up to pay homage to the master with their co-production of a Montreal original, Cole & Co., co-penned by Randy Davies and Marie-Claude L'Ecuyer.

Davies summarizes the play: "It is a revue with a story. It is 1940 and we are Cole Porter's friends attending a party in a posh, New York penthouse. Over cocktails, we discuss his life, his work, share humorous anecdotes, and sing many of his well-known songs as well as some lesser known. It's a champagne tribute to a glittering age gone by, celebrating the genius who personified style, elegance and sophistication."

A song-and-dance man with decades of professional experience, Davies originally co-wrote the script with David Mills and Clive Hill for his MusiCompany in the early 70s. This first production of the brand new company was presented at Centaur Theatre and once the Montreal Star's theatre critic, Myron Galloway, gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up, it was a sellout success. Much of Act I is the same, focussing on Cole's hits from the 1930s, but Davies, who intends to surpass his 1970s success, says, "Act II has almost been completely re-written, thanks to the brilliant Marie-Claude L'Ecuyer."

Last season, the Hudson Music Club moved back to the community where it all began over 60 years ago, with their production of Oklahoma! (2013 META-winner for Outstanding Community Theatre Production) in the train-station-cum-performance-venue, the Hudson Village Theatre, itself an active contributor to the professional theatre scene for over 20 years. The 22-member cast managed to fit into the intimate venue however Cole & Co. will see only 11 members on stage, allowing Jean-Claude Olivier's two-tiered Art Deco set design to shine. André Marchand produces with Davies choreographing as well as directing. Musical direction is by Sheila Engel Katz with Linda LaRoche on piano and Carl Rufh playing bass. Lighting design is by Alan MacMillan with costumes by Gail Marchand and stage management by Anika Ninacs.

Porter's sassy lyrics and saucy outlook are firmly rooted in pop culture. Who hasn't heard "I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles" or "I get no kicks from champagne"? Yet despite the fame and fortune, his life wasn't 'delightful, delicious, and de-lovely'. A riding accident that crushed both his legs, left him significantly handicapped and in chronic pain for the rest of his life. His homosexuality had to be cloaked in a socially acceptable marriage to divorced Kentucky socialite, Linda Lee Thomas. Eight years his senior and fully aware of his sexual orientation, the two were close confidantes and devoted to each other until her death in 1954. Four years later, after an appalling 34 surgeries, Porter's right leg was amputated. For the remaining 6 years of his life, he never wrote another song or ventured out into society again, seeing only intimate friends in self-imposed seclusion until he died of kidney failure at the age of 73.

"The audience will definitely enjoy the music, but they'll also learn fascinating things about Porter," says L'Ecuyer. Though Porter is quoted as saying, "My sole inspiration is a telephone call from a director", he is undisputedly one of a handful of composers whose talents as a lyricist matched his musical acumen. He was ahead of his time with songs like "Love For Sale" and "In the Morning, No" whose racy lyrics prevented them from being broadcast on the radio. Even late in his career, despite an endless trail of awards and accolades, Porter still had to cow-tow. Producers refused to fork over funding for a new show called Out of This World unless "From This Moment On", a song that has subsequently stood the test of time, was cut. Many other stories such as these come to light in the revue.

Originally formed in 1952 as The Follies to raise money for Hudson's Wyman Church, the Hudson Music Club, now in its 62nd year, continues to raise money for worthwhile local organizations with crowd-pleasing musical theatre productions. Not only does their repertoire include everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Cabaret with a few Broadway revues for good measure, but they also participate in various community events to raise funds for local charities throughout the calendar year.

COLE & CO will run today, March 13 to 29, 2014 at the Hudson Village Theatre (28 Wharf Road, Hudson, Quebec). Tickets are $27 general admission and $23 for seniors at matinees, $29 general admission and $25 for seniors for evening performances, and $18 for all performances for students. All members of QDF receive a 10% discount. Tickets can be purchased by calling 450-458-5361 or online at hvtbox@videotron.ca.

 

---

Join Team BroadwayWorld

Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.

Interested? Learn more here.

---