Rhonda Burchmore - Cry Me A River – The World of Julie London ***1/2

Venue and Dates:  Comedy Theatre - Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 August, 2012.
Reviewer:  Joe Calleri
Stars:    3.5

Only in America could a young, unknown, elevator attendant by the rather non-descript name of Gayle Peck, be discovered by the talent agent wife of actor, Alan Ladd, and be transformed into multi-talented singer and actress, Julie London. This reviewer remembers London in her role as Nurse Dixie McCall in the 70’s adventure series, Emergency.

The impossibly tall, smoky-voiced, Rhonda Burchmore, admits at one point during in this well-constructed, and highly entertaining journey through London’s highly eventful life, loves, significant world events and some of the finest jazz and blues music ever written, that she is 9 inches taller than London. That distinction is of little consequence.

There is much to like in this production, from the simple, elegant staging, to Burchmore’s gorgeous, split to the thigh, glittery outfits, to the kick-ass jazz band that accompanies Burchmore during her mesmerising performances of classic tunes written by some of America’s legendary writers (Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin) including Cry Me a River (the stand-out tune), Let There Be Love, ‘S Wonderful, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, and The Party's Over.

Issues with this production are relatively minor. Some gags (especially the unfortunate reference to Schapelle Corby) are unnecessary and lower the overall tone of the show, Rhonda fluffs some of her lines, and the show is perhaps a few songs too long. But, those wonderfully enduring, toe-tapping tunes and Burchmore’s sultry, stagecraft more than compensate.

Lovers of fine jazz and blues music should run and catch this show before it ends its very short season on Sunday 19 August.

Joe Calleri