Announcing its re-opening, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire brings to its stage; THE WORLD GOES ROUND. Of course, you can’t have a meaningful conversation about musicals without mentioning one of American’s most incredible songwriting teams of Kander and Ebb. This fantastic duo featured Kander, who wrote the scores for 15 musicals with lyricist Edd. Known for their great songs, like Cabaret (1966), And All That Jazz, and Chicago (1975), their legendary stage musicals scored several movies, including Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York.

The cast of five featured some sensational voices. Allison E. Blackwell started the evening serenading us with her beautiful voice singing, “The World Goes Around.” Blackwell, who made her Broadway debut in the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, has been in several significant roles as Aretha Franklin (A Night With Janis Joplin) and the Broadway cast for Disney’s The Lion King. She is also an accomplished operatic singer performing with orchestras such as The Boston Pops, The Philly Pops, The New York Pops, The Atlanta Symphony, and The Houston Symphony. 

Another powerful voice blessed us by the name of Meghan Murphy. Murphy, known as “Big Red,” thrilled the audience with “And All That Jazz and has an impressive vocal range. However, we loved the 50’s house-wife look as she nailed the acting and singing, “The Grass Is Always Greener.” Rounding out the ladies is Amanda Rose. Rose is a Broadway and Off-Bradway regular, has performances with National tours of Wicked, Dr. Doolittle, Oklahoma, and The Man That Would Be King. 

Byrd and Earley completed the team of five with style. Earley, who started his career at the age of ten as Kurt in The Sound Of Music, is also a Jeff Award winner for this role as Balladeer in Assassins. In addition, he has solid and impressive vocals, which he displayed while singing “Kiss Of The Spider Woman” and I Don’t Remember You.”

Add the style of Champlain, Fred Astaire, with a twist of Sammy Davis Jr, and you get the fashion and grace of Joseph Anthony Byrd, who danced his way into our hearts. His Kander and Ebb version of Mr. Cellophane was delighted, and he almost stole the show with his witty and comical performance of “Sara Lee.” His vocals weren’t as sharp compared to Blackwell, Murphy, and Earley, but it worked. 

The 90-minute performance struggled somewhat with being either a play or a musical; however, their harmony and vocals make this musical worthy of your attention. 

Let’s Play Recommends; THE WORLD GOES ROUND, a musical revue featuring the songs of Kander and Ebb.

Marriott Theatre 

The World Goes Round

Terry James, Executive Producer 

Aaron Thielen, Artistic Director 

Peter Blair, Associated Producer

Peter Marston Sullivan, Associated Artistic Director

Music by John Kander

Lyrics by Fred Ebb

September 15th-November 7th