By Kyle Osborne
Donny and Marie, the Osmond siblings who have no memory of any point in their lives when they weren’t in show business, are the last living links (along with Wayne Newton) to the part of Vegas that, itself, remains the last living link to Vaudeville.
Their Vegas show was rated #1 for 5 consecutive years, and at opening night of Donny & Marie: Christmas at the National, it was easy to see why. Poinsettias and fake snowflakes did little to hide the deliciously retro Vegas road show that cheerfully included sparkles, sequins, bad jokes (complete with rim shots from the drummer) a salute to the troops, and lots of medleys. It was a blast.
It’s meant to be a high compliment when I say that the show is “corny”—intentionally so. Between the two of them, there are approximately 250 bright white teeth flashing at any given moment, and just as many teeth (decidedly not as white) flashing back at the duo. Looking into the eyes of fifty-something women in the audience, one sees the wonder and amazement of 13 year old girls, thumbing through their Tiger Beat magazines. Their sincere crushes that preceded marriage and kids and mini-vans and soccer games come back at the speed of sound.
The sound in this case was near perfect. Both singers remain in remarkably good shape (Marie mentioned “Nutrisystem” enough times to earn whatever they’re paying her) and in very good voice. In particular, Donny is still able to hit high notes with impressive power and his Boy Band-style dance moves brought out for his “Soldier of Love” were as agile as those of someone half his age.
Marie still exudes mega-watts of showbiz power, but relied on moving the mic away in the spots where some of the highest notes belong and she was futzing with her in-ear monitors for the whole show. Whoever her sound tech was just off of stage left was getting directions from the stage to turn her up in the monitors—sometimes with just a look and a finger pointing upwards in the air. Whatever those glitches were, they only affected what she was hearing—what we heard in the house sounded terrific, if slightly loud for the size of the venue. She was fabulous, in any case.
As the title of the show promised, there were plenty of holiday favorites—a medley of Christmas songs as recorded by Motown artists was high-energy, and a few slower temp classics were included as well.
They also paid tribute to their own 1970’s TV show by doing a segment that was launched back then: “I’m a little bit country—And I’m a little bit Rock and Roll” they sang, as classic TV clips played on a big screen behind them.
Donny announced a new solo album of cover songs, a format that’s been worn to the nub, but “Soundtrack of My Life” includes songs that have a direct connection to Osmond, who says the release is to celebrate his 50 years in show business (and it’s his 60th album!). His performance of “The Gift of Love” from the album was a high point.
I don’t know who in the next generation will continue the art of good old fashioned show biz when these guys (and Newton) hang it up. We’ve probably become too cynical, too cool for unabashed enthusiasm like this. But for those too old to care, and those secure enough to let loose, Donny & Marie Christmas is an interactive, joyful experience. It’s time travel with no consequences.
Corny never sounded so good.
Donny and Marie: Christmas at the National continues at The National Theatre in Washington DC. Tickets, Videos and Info are at: http://thenationaldc.org/events/donny-marie/
Check the tour dates for other cities at: http://www.donnyandmarietour.com/
Donny Takes An Unexpected "Selfie" with Kyle Osborne and Grace Kim