We were actually quite disappointed to learn that at the last minute, Megan Mullally cancelled her appearance in LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART, causing non-profit Roundabout Theatre Company to cancel the production entirely.
Kudos to Sherie Rene Scott, who came to the rescue with EVERYDAY RAPTURE, which she co-wrote with Dick Scanlan. Ms. Scott describes herself as a "semi-star" but she has a powerful star quality voice. The show is really a cabaret act gone Broadway, almost like what Michael Feinstein & Dame Edna’s ALL ABOUT ME tried to be. The show uses existing songs which take on new meaning when for example; one hears the theme song of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood become a tale of sexual awakening.
The show is much about Scott’s own life and the story is simple. As she says in the opening by talking about 2 little pieces of paper she is never without, one of which says that she is a speck of dust and the other says the world is all about her. Ms. Scott talks about her beloved cousin with love and emotion, which is her way of publicly presenting her position on AIDS and how hate still exists in many parts of the US.
The show is very loosely woven together but it is hard to ignore the musical highlight of Scott signing “Get Happy” to a room full of mental patients at the Menninger Psychiatric Center. Back up vocals by Lindsay Mendez and Betsy Wolfe are terrific. They are the most unlikely looking Broadway backup singers but their voices and stage presence match Scott’s in power.
One of the true highlights of the show has Ms. Scott is one side of the stage watching Eamon Foley on the other side as he records himself lip-syncing Scott for a YouTube video. Eamon is over-the-top campy and the sketch is both hilarious and heartwarming. The show is entertaining but we wished for a more meaningful ending, something to bring it all together. It is still a show worth seeing if you want to see a powerhouse of talent.
NEXT UP: A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE
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