Resident Theatre "Feelin' Groovy" review by DeborahBuckner

Get Your Groove!

Rating: 4

Feelin' Groovy: The Music of Paul Simon

The Resident Theatre

The Jewish Community  Center's Resident Theatre celebrates Paul Simon's long career as composer and lyricist with "Feelin' Groovy--The Music of Paul Simon."  Simon's music has provided the soundtrack to the lives of most American "baby boomers," and, for his far-reaching influence, he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2007.

Simon's songs--particularly in his years with Art Garfunkel--have been delivered with a unique vocal style.  No one could imitate it, and it would be a mistake to try.  Vocal Director Kristi Mitchell doesn't do that.  Instead, Jake Borowski, Dustin Cates, Jeff Martin and Mike Needleman give Simon's music their own interpretations, resulting in an entertaining evening.

Highlights include Jeff Martin's version of "Still Crazy After All These Years," which brings out the lyrics in a fresh new way; Dustin Cate's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," also featuring Mike Needleman and backed up by The Shawnee Mission South Heritage Singers; and "Kathy's Song" performed by Jake Borowski, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.  The Heritage Singers perform a beautiful arrangement of "Scarborough Fair" and "The Sound of Silence" and, wearing brightly colored scarves, provide a spirited back up to "Under African Skies" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes."

Needleman received a burst of applause for his whistling in "Me & Julio" and added a haunting harmonica to several songs.  Ron Ernst and Greg Haynes on percussion, Jan Wilbanks on keyboard and Danny Kaul on bass support Martin, Needleman and Borowski on guitar.

The performers encouraged the audience to join in singing the choruses, and several voices seized the opportunity.  The rest supported with rhythmic clapping, demonstrating they were, indeed, feelin' groovy!