“SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE” IS SMOKING HOT SUMMER FARE

   PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUPREME TALENT INTERNATIONAL

Jerry Leiber has been accused of convincing his soulmate Mike Stoller into becoming a songwriter, something Stoller was not anxious to become.  Whatever Jerry said, that unique partnership lasted for six decades, with Jerry as the witty lyricist and Mike as the talented composer.  Along the way, they helped a little unknown singer like Elvis Presley find his voice, gifting him with tunes like "Loving You" and "Jailhouse Rock."  Rock and roll was their forte and humor was often their trademark, although rhythm and blues crept into their extensive repertoire.

This producing partnership wrote "Hound Dog" for Big Mama Thornton and a string of R and B tunes for Charles Brown, Jimmy Witherspoon and Floyd Dixon.  Almost three dozen of their greatest hits are on display until Sunday, July 28 at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven as the Irving Street Rep presents "Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller" for your summer listening pleasure.

As the architects of rock and roll, Leiber and Stoller knew no rivals. If you’re looking for a good time that ping pongs back and forth from snappy sizzle to mellow yellow, then “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” is the perfect place to park yourself for a musical interlude.  A cast of nine is perfectly poised and  polished to light up the skies with  hits from the musical pens of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

    Turn up the heat for this retrospective of hits that are reminiscent of decades ago as  Vida Allworthy, Derrick Baker, Johnathan Celestin, Dawn Marie Driver, Jose Figueroa, Jr., Ron Lucas, Jay Rivera, Famecia Ward and Stevanie Anita Williams  swing and sway and shimmy into rhythmic magic land with such numbers as “Dance With Me,” “Searchin,’” “On Broadway,” “Yakety Yak,” and “I’m A Woman.”  They will tickle your fancy with their comic twists performing “Poison Ivy,” “Don Juan,”  “D. W. Washburn,” and “Love Potion #9.”  Elvis will enter the building as they blast out “Hound Dog,”  “Treat Me Nice,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
   
You’ll love the verbal Valentine of “Falling,” the fun of the dancing in “Teach Me How To Shimmy” and the power of “Stand By Me.”  Their invitation to “Dance With Me” will be too hard to resist  while you might be tempted to confess and repent just to be ”Saved.”  No matter what the mood or tempo, this lively group will wrap you up with a slithery red boa as they dance and sing.  They’ve got all the right moves and you might find yourself on your feet on stage helping them along the way.
  
 For tickets ($59), call the Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven at 203- 787-4282 or online at www.longwharftheatre.com .   Performances are Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.,Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
   
Let the mighty spirit move you as you take a musical journey along this friendly and famous road paved by the good works of Leiber and Stoller. Discover
first hand why Leiber and Stoller have been called the Rodgers and Hammerstein of Rock and Roll.