A first-class, talented musician, he knows exactly how to make every single pop, R&B and rock ‘n roll song associated with “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” resonate and fascinate with that intimate supper club magic that was prevalent in the 1950’s and 1960’s. As the production evolves, his approach to the music is fast, detailed, grounded and adventuresome. There’s also a freshness to it all, complemented by choice orchestral ingredients that pinpoint different notes, styles, beats, rhythms, combinations and collisions. Here you get more than Broadway sonic pastiche. You get reinvention that is smart, clever and veritable.

At ACT of Connecticut, Bronston (at the piano, doubling as conductor) surrounds himself with the very talented orchestral team of Tom Cuffari (keyboard 2), Russ Nyberg (drums/percussion), Gary Blu (tenor/baritone saxophone), Al Orio (electric guitar), Kevin W. Callaghan (electric bass) and Dennis J. Arcano (music contractor/synthesizer programmer). Under his tutelage, the band address and play the popular musical score with just the right amount of effortless enthusiasm, emotion and humor the production calls for.

Nothing is rushed or hurried. Instead, the message is clear and beautifully contoured with addictive, vibrant accounts, observed variants, projected buzz  and carefully calibrated tonal stability. Things, of course, sizzle and pop as the cast of eight raise their voice in song never once missing a single beat, intention, harmony, or rhythm associated with the show’s tangy musical songbook. It’s all very, very beautiful, keen, engaged and ever-enthusiastic.

“Smokey Joe’s Cafe” stars Courtney Long, Avionce Hoyles, Albert Guerzon, Keyonna Knight, Arnold Harper II, Jordan Fife Hunt, Kelly MacMillan and Juson Williams. As dictated by its creators, the show remains an eye-popping, exhilarating ensemble piece where each performer gets his or her place in the spotlight while embracing the music of Leiber and Stoller and illuminating the vocal brilliance and individuality of the musical score with beauty, style, class, compassion, humor and dignity.

There are star turns. There are showstoppers. There are laughs. There are tears. There are playful and sexy bits that get the pulses racing. Song by song and scene by scene, the cast is in full and fine voice that reflects and complements the conceit of the material, the musical story arc and its conjuring questions and answers. What’s wonderful about this particular group of performers – all-stars in their own right – is the depth and versatility they bring to every song they perform, their amazing range and control, their individual harmonizing, their continuity and how they wrap their voice around a lyric they want you to appreciate and understand. There’s so much electricity here, the heat could easily cause or power outage or two.

An energetic and savvy tribute to one of America’s most celebrated songwriting duos, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”  gigawatts lightning-fast ripples of mood, voice, pulse and excitement with nostalgic spectacle and thrilling momentum. It jumps. It pops. It sparkles. It sings. It dances.
Every one of the musical numbers shows Leiber and Stoller at their very best and the cast – all eight of them – go full-throttle as both singers and dancers – under Stephanie Pope Lofgren’s inspired direction and emotionally shifting choreography. John Bronston’s musical direction is both edgy and savvy and the band – absolutely sensational in their own right – never once misses a beat, which in a musical of this caliber, goes a very long way.

Now that Equity regional theatre is back with in-place protocols that include mandated vaccinated card check ins, the wearing of masks and social distancing, ACT of Connecticut remains a source of genuine inspiration and professionalism using the very best hand-picked actors, directors, choreographers and design teams.

With outstanding productions ranging from “Evita” and “Little Shop of Horrors” to “Working” and “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,” this Ridgefield-based venue, under the artistic guidance of Daniel C. Levine (Artistic Director) and Katie Diamond (Executive Director) maintains a creative vision like no other. The staff – front, in-house and volunteers – not only make everyone feel welcome, but are especially accommodating during these very different and troubled times. A standing ovation for all.