WSO gets an Oscar
Frymire’s tribute “Something Wonderful”
by Christopher Key
Jack Frymire spent much of his professional life under the bright lights of Broadway and Bellingham is blessed to have hosted his retirement. He has been associated with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra for much of that time. Maestro Roger Briggs tried to pay tribute to the gifted impresario after the first half of tonight’s pops concert, but Frymire isn’t as impressed with himself as most showbiz folk.
“I think this may be a pit premature,” Frymire said in response to the tribute. “First, the show isn’t over and second, I’m not dead yet.”
He certainly isn’t and the second half of the concert was just as sensational as the first. “Something Wonderful: Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II” wrapped up the WSO season in fine style. Traditionally, the pops concert is one of the season’s most popular and, indeed, there were far fewer empty seats at the Mount Baker Theatre than there have been recently.
The audience was treated to a true showbiz spectacular that would have made ol’ Ockie’s eyes light up like a Broadway marquee. A quintet of extraordinary voices anchored the show. Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, Elizabeth Pojanowski, Gabriel Gargari, Erich Parce and Amber Sudduth-Bone all own voices that send shivers up the backbone. They are also a good deal better that most of the voices on Broadway. So are the voices of the Bellingham Chamber Chorale who provided rock-solid backup under the direction of Tim Fitzpatrick.
Legendary hambones Jeff Margolis and Robert Muzzy provided some delicious moments as “The Producers,” Maury and Manny. But the comic highlight of the evening came when four male members of the chorale performed “Nothing Like a Dame” from South Pacific. It may have been funnier than the scene from the play or the movie.
Narration to tie everything together was provided by master storyteller Rosemary Scott Vohs and the Bellingham Theatre Guild’s stylish Les Campbell. Another couple of local legends, Jim Lortz and Mark Kuntz, directed the affair. Mary Simler Evans contributed the stunning choreography and Shelly Muzzy designed the evocative costumes. The always-organized Pat Nelson served as Production Coordinator and Jim Zoehrer’s lighting design was perfect.
Hammerstein owned Broadway for many years and tonight’s cast and crew owned Hammerstein. This is the way these songs should be sung and rarely are.
If you’ve been reading these reviews after the fact and wishing you had attended the concert, now’s the time to do something about it. The WSO has just announced a stellar 2009-10 season. Details can be found at www.whatcomsymphony.com.
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