THEATER REVIEW:

Billy Joel and Elton John — pop music's premiere piano men — are the subject of the American Music Theatre's best musical and dance revue in years, "Rocketmen."

With one half of the show devoted to Joel and the other to John, the show has a built-in cohesion that works to great effect.

Unlike some AMT revues of the past, "Rocketmen" never feels arbitrary, never feels like it's just throwing stuff out there on the stage.

But it's also got the class and flash that we've come to expect from AMT.

Andrea McCormick and Carl Rajotte, two former performers at AMT, wrote, directed and choreographed the show, and they've done a great job.   

They give "Rocketmen" a distinct, vital  personality and understand why Joel and John (who occasionally tour together) work so well on the same stage.

Joel's music has a show offy-urban feel to it and John's has decadent and flamboyant layerings, but they both reveal very human, insecure hearts.

And the hits! They just keep tumbling out in this fast-paced — but not too fast-paced — show.   

With a talented and tight cast of six singers and four dancers, the production values are top rate.

    RELATED VIDEO: 'Rocketmen' preview and interview

The choreography is fresh, energetic and sophisticated, while also being rather clever.

Dancers Travis Patton, Melanie Gaskins, Samantha Mitchell and Andy Mills handle it all with aplomb.  

Costumes, designed by Renee Bouchard, are spot-on throughout the show. And the two sets, designed by Randall Leipart, somehow perfectly reflect the aura of each songwriter.

The Joel set has an urban feel, with a twinkling Brooklyn Bridge and chain linked fencing.

The John set is more decadent and gaudy, with a white piano at the center.

The show opens with those famous first couple of notes from Joel's signature song, "Piano Man."

Charles Ancheta, Lancaster's very own piano man, has always been a show stopper at AMT, but this time his role is integral to the success of the entire show.

Not only does he do a terrific job playing piano, but he also sings quite well, too. His "Piano Man" sets the tone.

The music comes tumbling out. Highlights of the first half include Michelle Mishler and Todd Mitchell's lovely "Just the Way You Are"; Wess Cooke's strong "We Didn't Start the Fire," which had some terrific video projections, and the medley of "New York State of Mind," "The River of Dreams" and "Keeping the Faith."

But for sheer emotion, nothing beats "Goodnight Saigon," Joel's dark but moving ode to Vietnam veterans. Mike Minor, dressed in a uniform, sings it straight, with solid but simple backup. The video screen shows the faces of soldiers. Simple and stunningly effective, it was  more a tribute to veterans than any flag-waving number AMT has ever done.  

The John highlights include  Mishler's  "Bennie and the Jets," which opens the second act with a bang; Minor singing an eloquent "Candle in the Wind," and newcomer and powerhouse Angela Birchett's lovely version of "Your Song."  

And kudos to Ancheta's solid band, especially sax player Brandon Hollinger.

This show is working on all cylinders, and at the American Music Theatre, that's something to behold.

———

"Rocketmen" runs through June 6 at the American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East.


Staff writer Jane Holahan can be reached at jholahan@LNPnews.com or 481-6016.