Michael Ehlers as Al Jolson

Jolson & Company
review by Ed Vincent

Jolson & Company, at the Theatre at the Center in Munster,
Indiana is a hit times three.  The times three part refers to the number of actors and actresses who perform the parts of dozens
of characters.  During one scene May West is talking to Al Jolson
about his new wife and Al seems nervous that his wife might get
the wrong impression about Miss West.  Everyone will get the
feeling of apprehension that his wife might enter stage left at
any given moment, until you recall that May West is played by
the same woman who plays all the female roles and therefore
could not meet her potential adversary.  Ericka Mac, who plays
all of the women's roles is amazing in her dance, disguise, and
versatility, as she moves effortlessly from one persona to the
next. 

The star of the show is Michael Ehlers as Al Jolson, a complex
and gifted man to play.  Michael Ehlers does a wonderful job, he
has a great dancing history behind him and sings perhaps better
than the original Jolson.  When the time comes for the trademark
black face to be applied, the writers and Mr. Ehlers do a fine
job of giving some history and interpretation of the meaning of
the act and when viewed in the context of the time being played
it works well - as required in the telling of Jolson's life.

This is a truly grand show and should one day run next to the
Gershwin show in Chicago...what an event that would be.  The
Theatre in the Center in Munster is a nice intimate theater for
this show. Robert Hildreth is the third actor, and he plays all
the remaining male performers in the show.  These three talents
makes this presentation a winner and one that I could see again
with no problem.

Jolson & Company
makes its Chicago Premiere 

Munster, Indiana –The smash hit musical Jolson & Company will make its Chicago premiere at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, previewing March 31 and opening April 8.  The show is an exhilarating celebration of the life and songs of Al Jolson, known
as the “World’s Greatest Entertainer” during the first half of the
20^th century.  Written by Stephen Mo Hanan and Jay Berkow,
and directed by David Perkovich, Jolson & Company will run through May 8, 2005. 

Jolson & Company explores the immensely talented, witty and vulnerable persona of the legendary performer.  Set during a live 1949 radio broadcast on the stage of the historic Winter Garden Theatre, Al Jolson promotes the opening of the film biography of
his life, Jolson Sings Again.  A series of extraordinary flashbacks chronicle his remarkable five-decade career and the turbulent
public and private life he led. The story unfolds from Jolson’s
humble beginnings as the son of a disapproving immigrant father who objects to his son going into show business through his meteoric rise in Vaudeville, Broadway musicals, early Hollywood films, radio and the formation of the USO. 

Featuring over fifteen classics from Jolson’s incredible songbook, including California Here I Come, April Showers, Swanee, You Made Me Love You, Sonny Boy, and Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye, Jolson & Company is more than the story of a man, it’s a fascinating story of American music.

Jolson & Company features Michael Ehlers as Al Jolson, Robert Hildreth as all of the male characters, and Ericka Mac as all of the female characters.  Musical Direction is by A. Scott Williams and Choreography is by Stacey Flaster.  Set Designer is Angela Miller, Lighting Designer is Charles Cooper, Costume Designer is
Elizabeth P. Shaffer, and Sound Designer is Joseph Huppert. 

Performance times for all shows are:  Wednesdays & Thursdays at 2 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased by calling 800.511.1552. Group discounts are available by calling 219.836.3258.  Theatre at the Center is located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Indiana and is conveniently located off I-80/94.  For more information on Theater at the Center, visit  www.theatreatthecenter.com.