Can't Smile Without You

Synopsis

With book by Tim Prager, based on an original idea by Bill Kenwright, and featuring all the timeless hits from music legend Barry Manilow, the story centres around an aspiring young band who, on a visit to New York, come across an opportunity not to be missed - auditions for the latest reality TV show to find the next pop music sensation. When the TV company offers lead singer Tony a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their unconditional blessing. But before Tony can realise his dream, he is caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leaves him fighting for his life. Left with no memory his dreams are all but shattered. His only hope lies in the power of the music he loves and his feelings for a girl he once knew called Mandy... Barry Manilow is one of the most successful music artists of all time. He has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and at the height of his success he had five albums on the best-seller charts in the US. This brand new musical, fully endorsed by Barry Manilow and his music executive Garry Kief, includes over 30 of Barry's hit songs including Could it be Magic, It's a Miracle, I Write the Songs, Mandy, I Made it Through the Rain, Trying to Get the Feeling and of course Can't Smile Without You as well as many many more.

Our Review:

1 October 2008

Could it be magic? Not quite, but this entertaining show based around songs by Barry Manilow does have that feel-good factor, which just about stops it from entering Juke Box musical hell.

As the lead character Tony, Chesney Hawkes delivers a charismatic performance, but essentially, it does feel like he is playing himself. His voice carries the Manilow songs well, and he is at his best when doing solo numbers on the piano.

But How Do You Solve A Problem like Maria’s Siobhan Dillon as Mandy (geddit?) doesn’t possess either the same charisma or the ability to convey any personality. She spends most of the performance looking stiff and unnatural, leaving only her face or voice to convey any character. As such, Mandy is not quite the enigmatic figure that you know from the iconic song. In complete contrast, another BBC talent show evacuee Francesca Jackson, (a wannabe Nancy) breathes life into a minor role, proving herself vocally and conveying real warmth, making...

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