Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre opened its 37th season last weekend with a rollicking outdoor rock 'n' roll festival near City Dock.
Rock Around the Dock is a unique tribute to a genuine American art form, performed at an outdoor setting that seemed perfect for a rock show. Which raised the question: Why did it take 36 years for this great idea to germinate?
The production, conceived and directed by Jeff Hitaffer and Kevin Wheatley, features a cast of eight dancers and nine singers who join a five-piece band on stage. And what a great band we heard Saturday night.
Although several instruments, including a trombone and saxophone are listed in the program, only guitars, a drum and keyboard were featured Saturday. But with musicians like Kent Warren on lead guitar, Nick Delaney on bass, Tim Hutchison on drums and Bill Dixon on keyboards, who's complaining?
Singers included seasoned performers, along with others appearing in their first ASGT show. Joe Rose looked and sounded sensational in just about every number he sang, and he also knows how to move. He delivered a "Jailhouse Rock" that was in the realm of Elvis himself.
Another fantastic mover in this production is Hitaffer, who sings well and leaps across the stage with high-voltage energy. In his first directorial stint, Hitaffer proves to be in firm control and capable of creating such a strong camaraderie among his fellow performers that it can be felt by the audience.
When Hitaffer and Rose are joined by Jessica Hyman and Andrea Elward, they deliver a "Knock On Wood" that brings everyone on stage and in the audience a lucky break.
But as formidable as the male singers are, they are often out-shone.
Hyman joins Elward and singers Lauren Simmet, Laurie Frank, and Lynne Garretson in a powerful "I'm a Woman" that pulsates with feminist pride. There are several memorable solo numbers, few more compelling than those offered by Frank and Simmet, each evocative of distinctive divas in a their nostalgic blasts from the past.
All eight dancers perfectly execute Kimberly Stevens' brilliant choreography with energy and precision. They whipped up their own joyous version of the mashed potato and deliver such energetic moves in their twist and swim that they seem to have invented these nearly forgotten favorites, while showing off some fantastic moves of their own.
The simple set with panels that change colors enhances the excitement and is used to display dancers' silhouettes.
This show is frenetic, slowing only when the music demands a relaxed change of mood and pace. From the fine simplicity of the set to the excellent lighting and sound that never once emits an inappropriate whistle to shatter the mood, every detail is well-executed.
Rock Around the Dock will run Thursdays through Sundays through June 22.
Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre's productions take place in a 200-seat courtyard theater at 143 Compromise St., the site of an old blacksmith shop across from City Dock.
Subscription or individual tickets can be ordered by calling 410-256-9212. The season will feature Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in July and Neil Simon's and Burt Bacharach's Promises, Promises in August.