The Golden Age of Hollywood returns to the stage in the all-singing, all-dancing story of legendary 1930s lyricist Al Dubin, who along with composer Harry Warren and visionary film director Busby Berkeley, took movie musicals to new heights during the darkest days of the Great Depression.
Although his name may not be as well-known as other music luminaries, Producer Corky Hale shares, “Few Hollywood songwriters have hit the same heights as Al Dubin. The entire country was singing his songs, and when we think of the hits of his era, his are the lyrics that we hear. The man himself however lived a drama that was larger than the plot of any film that included his songs – and it is a fascinating and captivating story about a guy who had everything that life has to offer – and who couldn’t resist his addictions.”
Born to Russian Jewish parents who raised him in Philadelphia, Dubin played hooky from school and travelled to New York City to see Broadway musicals when he a teenager. And at age 14, he began writing special material for Tin Pan Alley entertainers. “I Only Have Eyes For You” takes us through his life from the moment he meets Helen, the love of his life for whom he converted to Catholicism in exchange for her giving up performing, as well as his meeting and teaming with composer Harry Warren. But even they could not protect Dubin from the demons of drugs, alcohol and gambling that tormented him after his return from World War I.
Although you may not know his name, Dubin’s songs have been heard continuously in over 600 films and television shows after he became one of the first songwriters to be hired for talking pictures in the late 1920s, following Al Jolson’s hit movie “The Jazz Singer.” In the 1930s, Dubin teamed with Harry Warren with whom he wrote the songs for a series of musical films, most directed by Busby Berkeley. Some of the highlights in the show focus on watching many of these great numbers that changed the way musicals were presented on film during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Many of the most famous Dubin and Warren songs are presented in the show including “We’re in the Money,” “42nd Street,” “Shuffle off to Buffalo,” “You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “About a Quarter to Nine,” and their 1935 Academy Award winning “Lullaby of Broadway,” woven together in the context of Dubin and Helen’s love story, his addiction battles, and some of the famous Hollywood talent who originally performed the songs including Ruby Keeler (Kayla Parker), Al Jolson (Justin Michael Wilcox), Cab Calloway (charismatic Elijah Rock), and Carmen Miranda (Renée Marino).
Jared Gertner, known to L.A. audiences for playing Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon not only on Broadway but during its first national tour with a stop locally at the Pantages, brings his small stature and big personality as well as his vocal prowess spectacularly to the role, generating the needed sympathy to love such a talented but emotionally tormented man. As his wife Helen, L.A. newcomer Nikki Bohne shines as brightly as many of her costumes each time she takes the stage. Her duos with Gertner are enchanting, even when their characters are at odds with each other. The two make it seem totally reasonable that Dubin would give up so much to keep Helen in his life.
As Dubin’s songwriting partner Harry Warren, Constantine Rousouli adds in a touch of normalcy to his partner’s outrageous habits. When he sings “Don’t Give up the Ship” as a plea to his wayward partner to stay in the game with him, you will wonder why such a reasonable man got caught up with the likes of Dubin. Then again, their combined songwriting talents will stand for years to come whenever the Golden Age of Hollywood is brought front and center.
Also of note is Valerie Perri who commands the stage as Monica during the comical “Mechanical Men,” performed with male ensemble dancers living out her fantasy with her. The marvelous band directed by Gerald Sternbach nicely compliments and adds lots of energy to every song covering multiple musical categories. The same can be said of the entire ensemble who sing and dance with every style through many costume changes designed by Debra McGuire. Also of note are the attention-focusing lighting elements designed by Brandon Baruch.
Brilliantly directed and choreographed by the wondrously talented Kay Cole, “I Only Have Eyes For You” will hold your undivided interest from start to finish with even scene changes performed by talented ensemble members tapping their way on and off the set.
Corky Hale presents “I Only Have Eyes For You – The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin,” at the Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St. in Hollywood through Sunday, June 12, with performances on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets run $40 to $80 and are available at www.flavorus.com or by calling 323-461-6999.
