Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ Returns Love

To the St. Louis Neighborhood

By Pat Lindsey

After an intermission that lasted 714 nights, The Muny finally reopened with the show that is perfect for setting hearts a-flutter, toes a-tapping, knees a-slapping, and hands a-clapping. Nine principal performers, a chorus line of dancers, and great musicians propel Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ into a night of entertainment that is unique to The Muny and personal to all who see it.
This jukebox musical features more than three dozen songs from the 1950s and ’60s, but it does not have dialogue or an actual storyline. It doesnod of the old Gaslight Square in St. Louis. This departure from the original script makes this show a Muny masterpiece.
Those who can remember Gaslight Square at the intersection of W. Boyle and N. Olive St. will recognize landmarks such as Whiskey A-Go-Go, the Crystal Palace, and Annadel’s Ice Cream Parlor. Even Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ has been renamed Smokey Joe’s Grecian Terrace to fit the changed locale. In and around these old familiar places the performers grace the stage with one song after another that include “Ruby Baby,” “Kansas City,” “Poison Ivy,” “I’m A Woman,” “Spanish Harlem,” and some Elvis Presley hits such as “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.”

In Act II, they give us a one-two punch with “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown.”
Each performer is, in his own rite, a star of this show. The versatility is sublime in their four-part harmonies, as well as solos or singing with the entire company. Charl Brown, Mykal Kilgore, Christopher Sams and Jason Veasey don their red sequined jackets and team up in perfect harmony to pay homage to The Drifters with their version of “On Broadway” near the end of Act I. Michael Campayno hops out of his ruby red convertible to give us a touch of Elvis in Act II, and each of the four women (Tiffany Mann, Hayley Podschun, Dee Roscioli, and Nasia Thomas) sing outstanding solos throughout the sh

The Muny orchestra that accompanies them has been elevated from the pit to the stage, making the Gaslight Square setting more authentic. Even more detail and authenticity is added to the set with The Muny’s new projection technology, which creates street scenes, ads, and a dancing Little Egypt behind a red curtain.
Kudos to Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge for being a visionary in putting a hometown spin on this lively production that marks the beginning of The Muny’s 103rd season. It’s the feeling of togetherness and fun that everyone needed after a long period of isolation. Audiences will be grateful to feel the love once again at The Muny in Forest Park.
Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ will be performed on The Muny stage nightly at 8:15 p.m. now through Aug. 1. For tickets, go to muny.org or call 314-534-1111.

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