YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE For an enchanted evening, show offers musical charm

Dinner and a great show: It's something wonderful.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
When John Holt took over as managing director of the Youngstown Playhouse, one of his goals was to keep events and productions going year round, including regular dinner theater performances.
The theater is now presenting a musical revue in the Moyer Room: "Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein," which opened Friday. The production offers the audience an enjoyable evening of dining, socializing and fine entertainment. It is directed by J.E. Ballantyne, Jr., with musical direction by Ed Phillips, who also provides the superb piano accompaniment.
The evening began with a simple, yet delicious, buffet-style meal by T & amp;D Catering of Youngstown. It featured green beans in teriyaki sauce, mashed potatoes, chicken and a very tasty vegetarian pasta dish, ending with apple pie a la mode. After dining, we settled back to enjoy the performance of five local talents.
The musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein have become such American classics, it is difficult to imagine anyone who isn't familiar with at least several of these melodies. We heard a nice mix of favorites and some less-familiar songs, too. Many of these tunes are old-fashioned love songs, so those celebrating an anniversary should put this event on their agenda, particularly those married during the heyday of these musicals.
Five singers
The five singers were well-chosen, each bringing their unique vocal style to the whole. The songs were a nice assortment of solos, full group numbers and everything in between. The three lovely ladies were as beautiful to look at as they were to hear! Nikita Jones' rich and versatile voice wowed us all in "I Have Dreamed," a song of romantic yearning. She also joined the other ladies as they kicked out that useless man in "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," an energetic, upbeat tune.
Melanie Williams, last seen as the ditzy blonde, Philia, in Salem's "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" took on a more serious and sophisticated role in this show. She impressed us with her high and strong soprano voice in "It Might As Well Be Spring," about that giddy feeling of being in love. She and Jones sang a sweet song about being feminine and getting dressed in pretty clothes in "I Enjoy Being A Girl."
Allyson Pollice kept the crowds in hysterics as Sister Amnesia in the Playhouse production of "Nunsense" last fall. She brought some of her light-hearted humor to this show as well in "I Cain't Say No," and a more serious "Something Wonderful," from "The King and I."
Matthew White was seen recently as Sir Danvers Carew in "Jekyll and Hyde. His deep and full voice mesmerized us, especially in "Soliloquy" from "Carousel," a poignant song to an unborn child, and the charming "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top."
Jason Green has a true talent for goofy comedy, playing the dorky weatherman in last year's "Moon Over Buffalo." He brought giggles to the crowd in this show as well, in such tunes as "There is Nothing Like A Dame." He and Jones did a comical collection of tunes, in which she sang about the joys of marriage, and he sang "Don't Marry Me."