BWW Reviews: Rita McKenzie Sings 'ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY'

There is no mistaking what Ethel Merman brought to Broadway. A gifted comedienne, an accomplished actress, and a hurricane of a personality, Merman commanded attention from every stage she stood on with pure gumption and that incredibly booming voice. This larger-than-life broad with one of the stage's most signature belts—a voice so big that microphones seem silly and completely unnecessary—Merman cemented her status among the world's best composers of the Great American Songbook... not with a beautiful, melodic voice, but rather with a powerful, full-bodied, almost gutteral vocal delivery that is completely of her own invention. It is one uniquely projected instrument that's so overwhelming, it's been exaggerated as a sound that can shake the rafters of any theater a gazillion miles away.

You may say the same thing about Rita McKenzie, the woman who bravely steps into Merman's persona for a one-woman tribute show titled (appropriately enough) 'Ethel Merman's Broadway,' her hit off-Broadway musical tribute now playing at the Laguna Playhouse through September 19. This unique evening of music and anecdotes finds McKenzie "portraying" one of the most recognizable top stars from Broadway's golden era. But rather than just presenting an average, by-the-numbers tribute concert where McKenzie goes through Merman's catalog of famous tunes, she instead steps forward as Merman herself, guiding the audience through the significant signposts of her incredibly rich career journey. That journey is, of course, punctuated by some of the 20th Century's most impressive song compositions which include "I Got Rhythm," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "You're The Top!" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Yes, folks, this here is the Musical Theater Diva's Songbook.

Before she even steps into the spotlight, McKenzie—speaking off-stage as Ms. Merman, in that unmistakable accent—proclaims "I never needed a microphone when I was on Broadway!" When she finally does step out to reveal herself, it's quite arresting to discover how much she looks and sounds like Merman (the photo above, actually, is how McKenzie looks without the full Merman-ization). McKenzie then proceeds to present Merman's life story by having her alter ego speak directly to the audience, as if we were interviewing Merman for a possible biopic about her life. Merman wants a completely accurate portrait of her life for this movie... so, damnit, she's going to make sure we get it right. "You betta take notes, honey," she commands. The way to get the real story, she insists, is to get it directly from the mouthpiece that lived it.

Born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann in Astoria, Queens, Merman (as impersonated by McKenzie) talks us through her colorfully vibrant life, from starting out as a stenographer by day while singing at nightclubs at night, to working her way up to star in the Gershwin's Girl Crazy to her Tony-winning performance in Irving Berlin's Call Me Madam. In between, she worked on five Cole Porter musicals, shined in star turns in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy, and famously lived an off-stage life that included four marriages (her last, to Ernest Borgnine, lasted all of 32 days!) and an occasional love/hate relationship with Hollywood ("They don't like how I look in L.A." she protests).

McKenzie channels Merman effortlessly, from her take-no-crap New-YAWK speaking voice (it's safe to say you'll never win a debate against her) and, as expected, Merman's familiar belting warble—which McKenzie certainly nails, especially in the terrific medley of songs from the hit musical Annie Get Your Gun that closes the first act. She's also a playful entertainer, riffing adorably with her musical director playing the piano on stage, handing out a party tray of snacks to the audience, and making some lightning-quick costumes changes just beyond the wings while still gabbing on and on without missing a beat. It's a swiftly-moving show and McKenzie doesn't allow lulls to screech Merman's story to a standstill. While the show isn't exactly groundbreaking, it's still an entertaining piece of theater, if only to hear McKenzie work her way through this rich musical theater check list with great gusto.

It takes an over-the-top personality to play this iconic woman, and McKenzie gives it her all, even with a dishearteningly half-full house during this first Friday night performance (though, she still manages a much-deserved standing ovation by night's end). Along the way, we are treated to a bevy of songs from a staggeringly brilliant cavalcade of musical treasures including compositions from Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Berlin, Jerry Herman (little-known fact: Merman was Herman's original choice for Hello Dolly!), and capped off by Merman's ultimate triumph in the Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim masterpiece Gypsy, which appropriately closes the show.

All in all, this broad's got rhythm... she's got music... and, yes, a whole lotta chutzpah.

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Performances of "Ethel Merman's Broadway" starring Rita McKenzie continue through September 19. Tickets are priced $40 to $70. The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California.

For more information, call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. 

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