By Marci Shatzman
A champagne toast and homage to Irving Berlin’s American story in song from the Charleston to Broadway acclaim. What more could The Wick Theatre & Costume Museum do to celebrate their 10th anniversary season in Boca Raton with five musicals through May 5.
“I Love a Piano,” a musical revue introduced in 2009, will be followed by runs of Broadway revivals “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Carousel” and “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” through May 5.
The audience refrained from singing along to more than 50 Berlin songs to uplift the American spirit from 1910, the Charleston era, through patriotic World War II tunes and “Annie Get Your Gun.”
Who doesn’t know the words to “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” and “White Christmas?” Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire once danced their famous feet off to “Cheek to Cheek.” Berlin even has love songs to his credit from “Always” to “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”
“Piano’s” cast of six performed their best singing and dancing chops, including two with Broadway credits (James Patterson and Tari Kelly); 2016 “I Love a Piano” repeat Alex Jorth and Wick regular Aaron Bower. Christina Carlucci and Ryan Matthew are making their Wick debut, both with extensive theatrical credits. Understudy Larry Toyter is the voice on the radio.
Director and choreographer DJ Salisbury, involved in earlier “I Love a Piano” productions, was elated with The Wick’s opening night audience cheering and standing ovation.
In her traditional welcome on stage before the curtain, Wick executive producer and CEO Marilynn Wick reminded theater goers that season subscriber tickets with goodies are still available. Wick single tickets, some also with costume museum immersive experiences and their Tavern at the Wick restaurant packages are at https://thewick.org/season-10
All three Wicks, including Marilynn’s daughters Kimberly, associate producer and costume museum curator, and Kelly, gathered outside the theater before the show to join Boca Chamber members for a ribbon-cutting to salute their 10th anniversary. With champagne, of course.