I Love A Piano
Director/Choreographer Amy McCleary has pulled out all the stops, keeping the show moving at a consistently, enjoyable and refreshing pace. McCleary's creative choreography pays charming homage to the developing styles of twentieth century dance. She does not miss a beat nor does her fabulous all singing, all dancing cast of players. There isn't a false note in anything by Berlin and thanks to McCleary, I Love a Piano doesn't make one false step.
Loos, Cavaliere and Dowling are hilarious in the competitive Anything You Can Do. This scene also includes a four part counterpoint of You're Just in Love and An Old Fashioned Wedding that is a joy to hear. McCleary has given Rickard a delectable act one, Harold Lloyd inspired, silent film ballet. The bespectacled Rickard does not disappoint. He is charmingly funny.
George Gershwin said of Berlin, “I want to say at once that I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived.... His songs are exquisite cameos of perfection, and each one of them is as beautiful as its neighbor. Irving Berlin remains, I think, America's Schubert. But apart from his genuine talent for song-writing, Irving Berlin has had a greater influence upon American music than any other one man. It was Irving Berlin who was the very first to have created a real, inherent American music....”
Now how does that song Cheek to Cheek go? Oh, yes:
Heaven, I'm in Heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak;
And I seem to find the happiness I seek...
Those lyrics fittingly summarize the joys that await you at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre's toe tapping, hummable and thoroughly entertaining I Love a Piano.
- Joseph Gordan, Gilbert Theatre Examiner, Gilbert AZ
It’s all framed by the life of one piano, and as directed and choreographed by Amy Marie McCleary, it’s a fun night of theater.
. . . McCleary’s choreography is brisk and entertaining.
- - Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine, Phoenix, AZ
VIBRANT BERLIN REVUE “I LOVE A PIANO” WELL STAGED AT BROADWAY PALM
. . . The little things contributed by the authors to make each song enjoyable are enhanced by the cast’s pulsating renditions and Amy Marie McCleary’s zippy and creative staging.
“I Love A Piano” has never been staged locally and it’s good to finally see this musical revue gem in such a pleasing production that allows the rediscovery of Berlin’s great songs.
- Chris Curcio, KBAQ, Phoenix, AZ
Peter Pan
It's hard to recall a fantasy more thoroughly realized than this "Peter Pan."
- Drew Sterwald, News-Press, Fort Myers, FL
McCleary's choreography was, as always, commendable - delicate here, boisterous there, just as it needed to be - and greatly enhanced the production. (Peter Pan)
- Anne W. Bellew, The Islander, Captiva-Sanibel, FL
High School Musical
It's impossible not to fall in love with High School Musical, the summer attraction at Mesa's Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre . . . The pleasing staging is perfect.
The appealing production has enough energy, sparkle and pizazz to capture hearts . . .
Amy Marie McCleary's energized dances perfectly capture the show's youthful mood.
- Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix, AZ
The production of "High School Musical" that opened Thursday at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is a knockout.
Great choreography, a terrific cast and smart direction all make the show a real delight. You don't have to be immersed in the Disney phenomenon to enjoy this production.
Amy Marie McCleary's choreography is spot on and lifts the musical numbers way up. She's got a young cast of strong dancers and she takes clear advantage of it.
- Jane Holahan, Lancaster New Era , PA
. . . anyone can appreciate the earnest intentions and sheer energy displayed on the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre stage in this show . . . the whole package is wrapped together in slick fashion.
. . . it would be even less without the Broadway Palm's high-quality cast, dynamic choreography by Amy Marie McCleary and the strong direction of M. Seth Reines.
In its best moments "High School Musical" reminded me (pleasantly) of the movie "Fame" - especially the rousing lunchroom number that ends the first act with a rollicking jam.
- Drew Sterwald, News Press, Fort Myers, FL
. . . this sparkling production is cleverly put together, well-acted, and fun to watch.
Amy Marie McCleary's energetic choreography incorporates hip-hop with some Fosse-like moves, and her choreography in "Get'cha Head in the Game" is some of the best incorporating basketballs that I've seen . . .
- Nancy Stetson, Florida Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
The Best Little Whorehouse
Choreographer Amy Marie McCleary (who also plays Ginger, one of the whores), has done a knockout job with the musical's dance sequences, especially Westlake's "Sidestep" and the Aggies's testosterone-drenched "Aggie Song."
- Nancy Stetson, Florida Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
Cabaret
. . . the brilliant, inventive choreography by Amy Marie McCleary needs to be acknowledged. McCleary's choreographic work is . . . exciting, creative, inspired and memorable. (Cabaret)
- Marsha Wagner, Sanibel Sun, Sanibel, FL
(The) Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre production . . . dazzles with lively and imaginative choreography by Amy Marie McCleary. Whenever . . . the dynamic dancers of the kinky Kit Kat Klub are on stage togther, the show sizzles. (Cabaret)
- Drew Sterwald, Gulf Coasting, Fort Myers, FL
But this version of life at the Kit Kat Klub works primarily due to three people: director Brian Enzman, who keeps the action speeding along; choreographer Amy Marie McCleary, who's created some nice new moves for her dancers; and John Ramsey Jr. in the pivotal role of Emcee. (Cabaret)
- Marty Crisp, Sunday News,
Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat . . . is a show stopper with all the right moves. The choreography . . . greatly enhance(s) this fun-filled musical comedy. The spicy number at El Cafe Cubano is quite spectacular. (Guys & Dolls)
- Di Saggou, The River Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
Holly Jolly Christmas
Choreographer Amy Marie McCleary pumps up the energy with flashy choreography that livens up even the dreaded title tune. She even throws in a surprisingly sexy dance number – “I Want You for Christmas” . . . that may give the dads in the audience some extra holiday cheer. (Holly Jolly Christmas)
- Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine,
. . . humor and spirited dancing rule the day, thanks to Stover’s direction and Amy Marie McCleary’s dynamic choreography.
- Drew Sterwald, The News-Press, Fort Myers, FL
Monkey Business
. . . group numbers sparkle as well, with merry moves - thanks to choreographer Amy Marie McCleary.
- Marsha Wagner, Sanibel-Captiva Islander, Sanibel-Captiva, FL
I Love You, You're Perfect . . .
The choreography by Amy Marie McCleary is briilliant . . .
- Di Saggau, The Island Sun, Fort Myers, FL
The Pajama Game
The choreography and the dancing of Haney’s character, the Sleep Tite Pajama Co.’s ditzy bookkeeper, are still the cat’s pajamas in the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre’s current production.
Credit Amy Marie Arnold for both. The Apple’s choreographer, who also co-stars in Haney’s role of Gladys, is the perfect conduit for the sassy “Steam Heat” sophistication of Fosse’s trademark moves: the teacup fingers brushing the brim of a hat, the angular styling, and the naughty pelvic thrusts. (Her partners, Tyler Albright and Dean Sobon, generate some “Heat” of their own, too.)
Arnold also packs the show’s exuberant office-picnic number, “Once a Year Day,” with a canny athleticism punctuated by badminton rackets, hula hoops, baseball bats and randy intentions.
Copyright . Amy Marie McCleary. All rights reserved.
