The Chesapeake Music Hall took its 15-member cast of singing and dancing actors and a sound and light crew on the road Saturday to do excerpts from a dozen Broadway shows for the Performing Arts Association of Linthicum, and PAAL never looked or sounded better.

That's at least partly the work of lighting and sound designer Garrett Hyde, technician Karel Richardson and light man Greg Guthman, who turned the auditorium at North County High School into a cabaret for this show.

Music hall owner, general manager, director, choreographer and costumer Sherry Kay provided costumes for "Mame," "Annie Get Your Gun," "South Pacific," "Oklahoma," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Damn Yankees," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "42nd Street" and assisted with split-second changes.

Leading man David B. Reynolds showed amazing versatility in songs that ranged from an Ezio Pinza-like "Some Enchanted Evening" from "South Pacific" to "I Remember it Well," a wonderful duet from "Gigi" with Anita O'Connor, and "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof," which rivaled Zero Mostel's performance on Broadway.

"Bosom Buddies", a wry anthem to female friendship from "Mame," was a showstopper by Kay and O'Connor. Kay also sang a touching "If He Walked Into My Life," from "Mame," and O'Connor gave a spirited "Doin' What Comes Naturally" from "Annie Get Your Gun" with young Ashley Adkins and Nicole Yetter.

Outstanding song-and-dance numbers included a five-member male chorus in "Nothin' Like a Dame" from "South Pacific," the full cast in the title song from "Oklahoma" and an ensemble of eight in "Skidrow/Downtown" from "Little Shop of Horrors." The most spectacular dance number was "We're in the Money" from "42nd Street" with a chorus of 10 talented hoofers in a lively tap routine.

PAAL will conclude its 17th season on May 2 with "Sounds of New Orleans." Anyone wishing to subscribe to PAAL for next season may attend the concert free by signing up May 2.

Information: 410-859-3308 or 410-859-8047.

Pub Date: 3/25/99