New West Theatre celebrates the ’60s in Bandstand. But while most people think of hippies when they think of the ’60s, there wasn’t much of the counter-culture reflected in the show.
They began the show by introducing the cast through the popular children’s game , “the name game,” featuring quintessential ham Scott Carpenter getting everything wrong and Erica Hunt playing the straight woman.
They covered the rest of the “square” ’60s world pretty thoroughly including a dazzling tribute to the easygoing California vibe of the Beach Boys.
There also wasn’t any Elvis to be seen or heard though they covered all phases of Elvis in last summer‘s ’50s themed show.
There was a fascinating Beatles tribute, featuring cardboard instruments taped to four different microphones through which the male cast members alternated, taking turns singing lead, while the others mimed playing the instruments air-band style. It was well done, but I’ve been spoiled for anybody else trying to cover Beatles songs since seeing the Beatles tribute at the Yates a couple weeks ago.
And while many of the previous shows have ended up being the Erica Hunt show (not that there’s anything wrong with the multi-talented Erica Hunt showing her many aspects) , everybody shone in Bandstand, particularly the new cast members.