‘The Beat Goes On’ at Cotuit Center for the Arts

BEVERLY TILDEN/CCB MEDIA PHOTOS Kristin Fehleu performs in "The Beat Goes On" at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

BEVERLY TILDEN/CCB MEDIA PHOTOS
Kristin Fehleu performs in “The Beat Goes On” at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

By BEVERLY TILDEN

As the General Manager of four radio stations at CCB Media on Cape Cod, it always surprises me when I speak to someone who hasn’t heard of one of our radio stations or read Capecod.com.  So I guess it will be surprising to some that I had never been to the Cotuit Center for the Arts after driving past it for 15 years.

But the combination of my love of music and growing up in the 60’s finally got my husband and me in the door—and we’ll be back.

“The Beat Goes On” opened this week and for us children of the 60s, it’s a sensory return into the decade via 32 songs, dance, images and film.

Act One covers the lively and carefree early 60s with songs from Motown, the British Invasion, Pop and even a glimpse of Dylan that would foretell the second half of the show.

Highlights for me were co-producer and cast member Ruth Condon’s ode to Lulu’s “To Sir with Love” accompanied by a scene from the film; a haunting rendition of Mamas and Papas’ “California Dreamin’ “ by Jordan Renzi; Kristin Fehlau’s smooth interpretation of The Stones’ “Paint it Black”; and “So Happy Together” the carefree love-song penned by the Turtles as sung by co-producer Anthony Teixeira, Michael Ernst and cast.

James Davis, a young singer songwriter who can’t have seen the 60s or the 70s, provides the bridge to Act Two with “The Times are a Changin,” channeling Dylan with skilled guitar and soulful harmonica.

James Davis sings Donovan's "The War Drags On" as images of Vietnam are projected behind him in "The Beat Goes On" at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

James Davis sings Donovan’s “The War Drags On” as images of Vietnam are projected behind him in “The Beat Goes On” at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

The emotion-packed second act becomes more serious with songs like “Abraham Martin & John” captured perfectly by Teixeira, as well as Renzi’s renditions of The Left Banke’s “Walk Away Renee” and Blood Sweat and Tears’ “When I Die.”

Davis, with another impressive and emotional guitar performance, returned with another first-rate performance of Donovan’s “The War Drags On” enhanced with images of Vietnam; and “Woodstock” written by Joni Mitchell and made famous by CSN&Y was beautifully performed by a trio of Renzi, Fehlau and Martha Paquin.

“Somebody to Love” by Fehlau captured the decade for me as she interpreted Grace Slick’s song with powerful voice and dance.

Alex Valentine lead the full cast finale to a crescendo of “Aquarius” by the 5th Dimension and The Band’s “The Weight” was received by an energized audience with a standing ovation.

Condon apologizes if she missed an audience member’s favorite songs of the 60s, but she has put together a show that follows a thread through the decade and allows the audience to travel back in time and relive those experiences and emotions.

Personal misses for me were Simon & Garfunkel and so many Motown artists, but with a decade so rich in talented artists, one could argue for a 60s Music Revue every month of the year!

The revue is enhanced by a great lighting and production team and dancers that evolved from “GoGo” frenzy to the “free love” modern dance at Woodstock.

The show would not go on without a talented six-member band and the producer of the projection images that neatly crafted the music into chronicle.

If you haven’t been to Cotuit Center for the Arts, you’re in for a treat. A welcoming art gallery, helpful volunteers, and an intimate seating arrangement with every seat near the stage await you. There are comfortable chairs and tables to enjoy a drink with the show including the signature cocktail “So Happy Together” a Greyhound with a twist. It was a great take for our Valentine date night but would also be fun for a Girls Night Out.

“The Beat Goes On” is playing through February 22ndwww.cotuitcenterforthearts.org   Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit.

– Beverly Tilden is the General Manger of CCB Media. Her email is [email protected]



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