Memories Are Made of This

8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70’s

All I can say is, “Everything is Beautiful” during this 80-minute blast from the past, now playing throughout most of January at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. The electrifying sounds of the 1970’s, filled with all those pleasantly pulsating rhythms and brilliant, tightly-blended harmonies, is currently filling this revered Evanston venue with unbridled joy. I defy anyone to remain serene and motionless while sitting through this marvelous production. Every audience member will be bopping their heads, snapping their fingers, tapping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along throughout this enchanting musical revue.

For patrons of a certain age, particularly those of us labeled as Baby Boomers, this production, dynamically-directed and energetically choreographed by Jamal Howard and musically directed by the incomparable Jeremy Ramey, is an absolute blast from the past. It’s like a tie-dyed montage of music. Stuffed with more than 50 songs that are synonymous with that decade, it’s impossible to sit in the audience and not be flooded by flashbacks from our youth. Memories are made of this.

For younger viewers born after this decade, this was the era of Richard Nixon, Watergate and the Vietnam War. Feminism, LGBTQ Rights, Groupies and epic parties had their roots during this time. Hippie Flower Children protested the war and pleaded for peace. They tuned in and turned on, promoting recreational drug use and free love. But the 70’s also gave birth to the gyrating moves of disco, and mirror balls glittered above dance floors everywhere. We wore vintage clothing, leisure suits, bellbottom pants and platform shoes. During this period, we enjoyed everything from funk to smooth jazz, from pop/rock to R&B, from soul to disco. We fell in love to the music of The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Helen Reddy and Debbie Boone. Young people grooved out to dance hits by KC and the Sunshine Band, Labelle, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Gaynor, the Doobie Brothers, the Bee Gees, the Jackson 5, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and many other artists.

This electrifying revue, subtitled the Sounds of the 70’s, was conceived by Rick Seeber (“Beehive, the 60’s Musical”), with musical arrangements by the renowned Michael Gribben. The show is split into two acts, which are naturally divided into eight tracks, or collections of songs. They’re each titled and include Not Sold in Stores, War and Peace, The Party, The One-Day Stand, Road Trip and, of course, Disco. While there’s not really a plot, the four main young singer/dancers seem to be navigating their way their through their own individual stories of self-discovery and enlightenment.

The lead vocalists include the extraordinary Mia Nevarez, the dynamic Jasmine Lacy Young, the powerful Wesly Anthony Clerge and the energetic Patrick O’Keefe. All of these brilliant singers are not only gifted musicians but seem truly likable. They’re backed by a talented eight-member ensemble that includes Alli Atkenson, Chamaya Moody, Matt Patrick and Roy Samra. Together these eight talented performers are the embodiment of the 8 tracks.

The musical menu is unbelievably large and as diverse as this cast. The first act opens with songs sung by the entire company. They include “Best of My Love,” then continues with such hits as “Close to You/We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Where Do I Begin?” Wesly impresses with “Get Ready;” Jasmine declares her independence with “I Am Woman;” Mia brings back fond memories with “You Light Up My Life;” and Patrick sweetly charms with “Tie a Yellow Ribbon.” The company rocks the house with “Brick House,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and a sexually charged “Lady Marmalade.” Mia and Wesly mellow out with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and Jasmine and Patrick offer support with “Just the Way You Are.” As the first act draws to a close, Jasmine brings down the house with a soul-shattering “Don’t Cry Out Loud.”

But wait: there’s more! The second act opens with lovely popular tunes like “Hooked on a Feeling,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Desperado.” Then comes the throbbing, insistent beat of “Car Wash,” heralding the Disco soundtrack that’s to follow. Suddenly we’re awash with dance hits, like “The Hustle,” “Get Down Tonight,” “Y.M.C.A.,” “We Are Family,” “Stayin’ Alive” and “I Will Survive.” The production ends the way the show began with “Best of My Love,” and then encores with the infectious crowd-pleasing, “Na Na Hey Hey.”

Fred Anzevino’s much accoladed and highly popular Theo Ubique has done it again. Not particularly a holiday show, this absolutely wonderfully musical revue manages to bring joy to the hearts of every audience member and a smile to their lips. Wonderfully directed and choreographed and professionally performed with vim and vigor, this magical musical revue is guaranteed to make audiences “Shake, Shake, Shake” their Booty and make them “Feel Like Dancing.” “Ooh Child,” do not miss this production because Chicagoland is “Takin’ It to the Streets.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented December 3-January 23 by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL.

Tickets are available by calling 773.939.4101 or by going to www.theo-u.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.