By Kyle Osborne
When Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller met in Los Angeles in 1950, the two teenagers could never have imagined that they’d co-write dozens of songs that not only would be chart-topping hits, but would become part of Americana. Decades of pop culture have played out over a nearly continuous soundtrack of their music. Without them, there is no Elvis, no Coasters, no 50’s nostalgia from which “American Graffiti” and “Happy Days” were born. Less Doo-Wop. Fewer happy memories. Songs like “Stand By Me”, “On Broadway”, “Love Potion #9” and “There Goes My Baby” only scratch the surface of the duo’s impact on our collective consciousness.
Kyle Osborne with Mike Stoller
In fact, sometimes songs get too familiar. We hear them so many times over so many years that they become wallpaper—we don’t even notice them anymore.
So, it’s an especially grand achievement that “Smokey Joe’s Café” makes these songs feel fresh again. The revue (there’s no storyline or dialogue, apart from the stories that are told within the actual songs themselves) lays out forty or so musical chestnuts with energetic choreography and a sterling collection of voices, rooted by a super tight band.
It’s an unforgettable night–please read the full review, watch a video and view the slideshow at: http://www.examiner.com/review/theatre-review-smokey-joe-s-cafe-at-arena-stage