'Closer Than Ever' is a joyous musical 

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

By Paul Kolas
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE REVIEWER 

CLOSER THAN EVER: Music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby,
directed by Kathy Ludt, musical direction by Jeff Kempskie. Presented
at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Calliope Productions
Theatre, 150 Main St., Boylston. Tickets: $12; $10 for students and
seniors.
      With Jeff Berger, Jan Fuller, Dave Ludt and Kathy Ludt. 

BOYLSTON-- On a hot and humid night in the Calliope Theatre, music
filled the air in a joyous, meditative, celebratory musical pastiche
called "Closer Than Ever."
     The show isn't so much a musical as 23 interconnecting songs
sung by a melodious quartet that examines the joy, pain, and
resilience of love, and the anxiety of growing older and accepting
that process with grace, humor, and compassion.
     Much has been made in recent years about the baby-boomer
generation kicking and screaming its way into middle age and beyond.
This is generally being done in a panicked state of denial, and a
couple of the songs here hilariously reflect that. "There's Nothing
Like That" is a dead-on take on the exercise craze, everyone killing
themselves to get and stay in shape, while "The March of Time" is a
funny anthem about trying to turn back the physical clock.
     But David Shire and Richard Maltby, the musical team
responsible for this amusingly affectionate look at friendship, love,
and growing older together, aren't out to merely lampoon baby
boomers. Neither is director Kathy Ludt, who balances the ensemble
numbers with some lovely solo songs. She poignantly and beautifully
sings "Life Story," about a woman whose marriage has gone bad; in
reflecting on all that she misses, including her ex-husband, she
sings "but I'm not complaining."
     Ludt, her husband Dave, Jeff Berger, and especially Jan Fuller
perform their ensemble songs with high style and vibrant harmony,
from the opening "Doors" to the rousing "Closer Than Ever" finale.
Jan Fuller has two exquisitely good duets with the show's bass
player, John Drohan.
     "There" is a funny, bittersweet look at how a married couple
fails to communicate, and Drohan and Fuller play well off each other.
"Back on Base" is a sexy ode to carnal love as Fuller slinks around
Drohan's bass like a cat in heat. She delivers "Miss Byrd," a song
about an ostensibly prim and proper secretary who is anything but
away from the office, with a sassy, sizzling gusto.
     Fuller's duet with Dave Ludt, "Another Wedding Song," about a
couple embarking on a second marriage ("I want you to be my last
second"), reflects the hope of learning from a failed marriage and
letting love have a second chance. "Fandago" is a song for every
career-oriented couple at a stalemate over who is going to take care
of the baby, and Jeff Berger and Kathy Ludt are delightful in their
battle of wills.
     Special mention must be paid to Jeff Kempskie on piano and
Drohan on bass. Their crisp musical performance contributed
significantly to the relatively seamless flow of the show, as did the
nicely evocative lighting by Brennan Clark. An evening of heart and
harmony awaits you in "Closer Than Ever." 

Copyright 2001 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.
http://www.telegram.com/features/time_out/closer.html
Worcester Telegram, 19 June, 2001, page A5.