‘Bells Are Ringing 70th Anniversary Concert’

By Alix Cohen

Tonight impresario Michael Lavine treats us to a comprehensive look back at the musical Bells Are Ringing replete with synopsis and selected memories of previous cast members.

In 1956, Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times praised star Judy Holliday and called the plot “antiquated,” yet so many of us remember the show or film fondly. Tonight’s packed audience appears to know the lyrics.

Remember “…A sad story, girls…While you were out the agency called/You got the job!/And your lawyer called/Your uncle left you all his money in his will! And he called…” None of which you’d have missed if you’d hired (answering service) Susanswerphone. Eve Dillingham, Hannah Bank and Dianne Fraser perform in lovely harmony.

Our first Ella Peterson is played by Christine Pedi who puts on the character like a cardigan. When she tremulously sings, “I’m in love,” she’s got us. As elderly “mom”, her voice aptly, unbelievably quivers. Nikolas King takes on the first iteration of writer Jeffrey Moss, the as-yet-unmet object of Ella’s affection. Pop number “Independent” is right up his alley.

In “Is It a Crime?” Klea Blackhurst’s Ella defends her right to get involved with clients, (up till now, not in person.) She’d be great in the role. Character tremolo and sympathetic monologue evoke the persona.

As J. Sandor Pranz, running a secret bookie operation through the service, Stuart Zagnit sings “It’s a Simple Little System,” with an appealing accent and devilish glee. David Katz, Ethan Mathias, and Kosta Stoychev provide chorus.“We will take those record orders/In a very cultured tone/While really booking horses/at Susanswerphone.”

Erin Davie and Nehal Josh as Ella and Moss imbue “Better Than a Dream” with palpable romance. They’re a real life couple. Voices work beautifully together, his rich and full, hers tender, but not wispy. A bright-eyed Michael-Demby Cain (and ensemble) share a rousing “Hello, Hello There!” Exemplifying the heroine’s optimistic and gregarious nature. The young ensemble should be commended for focus, expression, and eschewing books throughout.

Marc Kudisch played Moss in the 2001 revival and imparts recollections. His rendition of “I Met a Girl” erupts like an eleven o’clock number. The stage can barely contain him. Hal Linden understudied, then stepped in for Sidney Chaplin as Jeffrey Moss on Broadway. He convivially joins us by video.

“Long Before I Knew You” floats on the inviting voices of Karen Akers (Ella) and Robert Cuccioli (Moss) whose engagement is convincing. These are grown-ups falling in love. (She can hardly believe it.) “Long before I knew you,/Long before I met you./I was sure I’d find you someday somehow.”

Alan Campbell shared an airport car with Adolph Green on the way to rehearsal of revival production. Green’s advice? “Have fun, kid.” As the rescued Moss, life back on track because of Ella, the artist sings a jaunty “Just in Time.” Penny Fuller provides Ella’s piping “A-doo-dee-doo-dee-doo-dee-doo-doo!”

The party scene, “Drop That Name”, is handily performed by tonight’s ensemble. “Brigitte Bardot and Jean Pateau, Marilyn Monroe, Vincent Minelli, Fred Astaire and René Clair, José Ferrer, the former Grace Kelly, Lynn Fontanne and Danny Mann and Deborah Kerr, Irving Berlin…And Rin Tin Tin…”

Penny Fuller returns in a wistful stage whisper to covey Ella’s deflation with “The Party’s Over.” Understated and moving, she captures the moment. Stuart Zagnit ‘s Sandor plays opposite Dianne Fraser’s Susan, namesake of the establishment, in “Salzberg.” He’s appealingly expansive.

A winning Michael-Demby Cain (and ensemble) present “The Midas Touch” written by Susanswerphone subscriber, Dr. Joe Kitchell who aspires leaving his dental practice for Broadway. “I’m Going Back” is rendered by Jenny Lee Stern with confident, polished power vocal, but no pathos.“…And if anybody asks for Ella, Mella or Mum/Tell them that I’m going back where I came from/To the BT Brassiere Company…”

The smoothly run evening closes with a company medley.
A good time was had by all.

Photos- Alix Cohen

Bells Are Ringing 70th Anniversary Concert
Produced by Joe Marchese & Andy Skurow
MD/Piano/Host- Michael Lavine
All songs – Music: Jule Style; Lyrics: Betty Comden & Adolph Green
54Below 254 West 54th Street https://54below.org/