Mac-Haydn’s Something Wonderful Was a Delightful Afternoon at the Theatre

The Capital Region has certainly been alive with the sounds of the American Songbook this past week. From Saratoga to Chatham, audiences have been treated to two very different and entertaining concerts from various parts of the expansive repertoire found within the songbook.

Most recently, Broadway and film artist George Dvorsky graced the stage with his newly assembled cabaret showcase, Something Wonderful. Dvorsky has an impressive resume, as he explained to the audience that he has never had to hold a “second” job during his forty-five-year career. It is a career that includes a mix of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall performances, regional theatre companies including Paper Mill Playhouse, South Shore Music Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, Texas, and now, returning to Mac Haydn in Chatham.

The self-deprecating Pennsylvania native sprinkled his music with a myriad of stories about his life, family, and various connections with the luminaries of the theater world. He liberally peppered his chats with reminisces about Sondheim, whom he confesses not to be a huge fan of, three of the four Golden Girls, and Chita Rivera, with whom he still performs regularly. We were regaled with stories about his movie forays, including his work with Disney on the animated Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and Mulan. 

It was his music that the very appreciative audience came to hear on Friday afternoon’s matinee, and they were not disappointed. From the stirring Something Wonderful from Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I (his favorite Broadway song) to the hysterically funny Sara Lee, Dvorsky’s seventy-five-minute set included All The Things You Are, Surrey With The Fringe On Top, Almost Like Being In Love, Feed The Birds and All I Care About Is Love.

Dvorsky has a strong voice, which was in fine fettle during his afternoon performance. He was accompanied by his music director, Eric Shorey. Shorey returns as Mac-Haydn’s music supervisor and brings impressive credentials to this production. Shorey has appeared at a number of regional theaters across the country.

The audience enjoyed the performance almost as much as Dvorsky appeared to be enjoying himself on the stage. The group was regrettably small but certainly vocal in their appreciation for the men and their work.

Something Wonderful is the first of Mac-Haydn’s special performances this season. Next up on their specials is a Sondheim Tribute on August 23 and 25. The specials are sprinkled throughout their regular season. For ticket information on these and the regular schedule, call the box office: 518-392-9292 or www.machaydntheatre.org.