‘Copacabana’ returns to the Benedum Center

"Her name was Lola ..."

How many of us children of the 1950s, '60s and '70s can complete that lyric? Barry Manilow was a pop icon of that era and created a fan base that was showcased on the television series "Will and Grace" and named "Fan-ilows." A group of said fans gathered as one of Manilow's proudest achievements returned to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

A rousing tribute to the Technicolor musicals of the 1940s, "Barry Manilow's Copacabana, The Musical" offers so many elements of those feel-good shows - a tribute to returning soldiers, a fog-filled dream sequence with a ballet, garish production numbers including female dancers in headdresses reminiscent of "The Follies of 1944" and more.

According to a biography, Manilow allowed himself to be encouraged by agents and managers to dabble in the disco genre - a significant departure from his commercial jingle and serious ballad writing - and delivered what may have become his most famous, and Grammy Award-winning hit, song, "Copacabana."

The song, the inspiration for the show, includes all the elements of a great musical - love, jealousy and murder, acted out as the fantasy of a struggling songwriter.

Tony Yazbeck, who portrays the songwriter, Stephen, and the lead, "Tony," takes the role of the show's narrator and storyteller into interesting territory. The entire show centers around a single line from Stephen's/Manilow's chorus, "when music and passion were always in fashion." Yazbek is believable, particularly in the dream sequence when Tony and Lola, star-crossed lovers, are separated by the evil gangster, Rico.

Lola is portrayed with talented enthusiasm by Chandra Lee Schwartz, who makes the transition from Midwestern hayseed to Copa Girl with her audition number, "Man Wanted," atop a nearly stage-long grand piano accompanied by Tony. She also plays "real-time Samantha," and offers a refreshing comedic transition between the illusion of the nightclub scene and Stephen's reality.

Gladys, played with accomplished skill by Sally Wilfert, offers a blend of comic relief and motherly wisdom along with her partner in fantasy and reality, Sam, acted by theater veteran Stephen Berger. Gladys, once a Copa Girl, is now very mature cigarette vendor.

Scenic designer Derek McLane provided a very clever transition from New York City to Havana, accomplished by using a large, inflated circa 1940s airplane sliding across the stage through foggy "clouds."

The musical attracted young and old, and the older crowd responded in awe when Rico (Robert Cuccioli) tells Havana's Tropicana Nightclub star Conchita (Elise Santora) that she's "too old" and is replaced by the much younger Lola in Conchita's signature number "El Bravo."

An unexpected ending (as audience members recited the title song's lyrics in their heads) leaves one feeling better than anticipated. Fantasy finally meets reality in the company's closing production number of "Copacabana."

The male dancers were spot on, while their female counterparts seemed a bit weak and less rehearsed. The company numbers were flashy in costuming (by David C. Woolard) and choreography (by John Macinnis), especially in the "Bolero D'Amore" tango-combo. From the opening number of the young women arriving in New York City seeking fame and fortune in coats carrying color-coordinated luggage ("Just Arrived") to the closing production number at the Copacabana Night Club, the show was a visual and ocular feast.

Although audience member were somewhat withholding in laughter and applause throughout most of the opening night's performance, by the end of the evening the cast won them over and the audience rewarded the cast with a standing ovation.

For an opening night performance many theater-goers were surprisingly dressed down, which may be encouraging for those who do not desire to put on their "Sunday best" to go to a show. Parking is reasonable and available at the Theater Square parking garage at $6.

Part of PNC's "Spotlight Series," "Barry Manilow's Copacabana, The Musical," continues through Aug. 2 at The Benedum. Call (412) 281-2822 for dates, times and ticket prices or visit Pittsburgh CLO's Web site at pittsburghCLO.org.

(Winkler can be reached at lwinkler@weirtondailytimes.com.)