The Tony Award winning musical revue Smokey Joe’s comes to the Fringe care of Tempo Productions, a native Amateur company with a long history of presenting musicals. It’s important to note that Smokey Joe’s Cafe does not have a storyline - it is in revue format with no unifying theme. The 39 songs are presented by various members of the cast in various combinations. There are novelty songs (‘Charlie Brown’), romantic ballads (‘Spanish Harlem’) and infectious melodies (‘There Goes My Baby’). The show also features the classic songs ‘On Broadway’ and the Ben E King smash hit ‘Stand by me’.
The cast deliver some excellent vocals, especially Peter Tomassi whose unique voice really gels with the lyrics and rhythms of some of the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller songs. That said, not all the vocals are up to scratch and you do have to question how some of the performers came to gain their roles. The evening is very much a relaxed affair and you can't help but sing along to some of the great songs of modern times in a venue which the company have remade as a jazz cafe. It’s an intoxicating mixture; if you're looking for some jazz style fun then a trip to Smokey Joe’s Cafe is sure to please.
