Jukebox favorites that scored “Off the Charts” of Billboard Magazine from 1958 to beyond the end of the 20th Century show the development of Pop Music. Four vocalists, often fast-moving, and a dramatic pianist pack all into the “Off the Charts” show at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret. They do so in excellent costumes and make-up. The women’s also symbolize the historical import of Hair.
Director Catherine Randazzo has the performers rightly shun imitation of Billboard toppers from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra through Elvis Presley, Beatles, Temptations to Michael Jackson, and Tina Turner to Whitney Houston and the Rolling Stones. What comes through is their sound, not their personalities or typical gestures. Still there is plenty of movement, even contained dance.
The script and the best of the numerous projections coordinate the songs with American history. There are memories of pop TV shows and slides of Vietnam and Racial Protests. Disco begins on MTV as well as dance floors. A projection of “YMCA” motivated the opening night audience to start singing along, appreciation then extended to other ‘80s hits.
There are numerous all-time hit songs from the early period, such as “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “You Don’t Always Get What You Want,” The middle period produced the group’s still present hits of “YMCA” and “You’re The Best.”
The AIDS epidemic is remembered at FST with song and presentation of “USA/AFRICA” to recognize “We Are the World.” From 1991 is recalled “God Is Watching Us.” The new Century brings in “Freedom.” Most of these feature the whole group but each performer has rendered hits singly throughout, each with a definite style of his or her own. I felt the two men distinguished themselves, whereas one of the women should improve a bit.
All in all, a pleasant presentation.
