REVIEW: The Rascals light up Broadway in ‘Once Upon a Dream’

NEW YORK — An awesome time machine has just landed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway. For the next two weeks, audience members have the chance to travel back 50 years to the Summer of Love and relive the sheer intensity and creativity of the Rascals. This influential band has regrouped its original members, and resurrection is their goal on a nightly basis. Fans are treated to “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning” and “People Got to Be Free,” among several other classics.

This is the real Jersey Boys.

The crowd at the opening night performance seemed politely skeptical before the curtain rose. How would Felix Cavaliere sound? Would Eddie Brigati still have his frontman hysterics? Can Gene Cornish still tear into a guitar solo? And what about the percussive talents of Dino Danelli? Was this going to be a nostalgia act, one of those cliche affairs built around earning a few extra bucks in the twilight years of the performers’ lives? How can we be sure that “How Can I Be Sure” sounds like it did in the 1960s?

The Rascals, after a catchy intro that includes a few of their television clips, tear into their music with a precision that is stellar and somewhat surprising. Decades have passed since this band toured the nation with their successful number one records, and yet the voices sound pure, the instruments still blazing. The group has come back together — and for good reason.

Brigati plants himself downstage, instigating the audience to feel the grooves. He bangs tambourines against his legs, serving as the emotional heart of the band. Throughout the two-hour concert he often sings directly to the talented backup singers, keeping them in rhythm and challenging them to add enthusiasm to their vocals. As one of the video clips from the evening’s performance indicates: Brigati is the true “rascal” of the bunch.

Danelli’s drum playing is spirited and powerful, keeping the chaos on stage as orderly as possible. He also has the best interview segments in the psychedelic video that plays behind the band. The musician is thoughtful and reflective on the band’s success and evolution.

Cornish, with a black hat and enough cool to melt a popsicle, provides the concert with its necessary amplification. He rips into his rhythms, providing the recognizable baseline on so many of the Rascals’ classic tunes. He doesn’t have an ounce of self-indulgence, letting the entire band bask in the spotlight.

Cavaliere, sitting in almost a hushed way toward the back, tickles the keyboard and offers his iconic voice to many of the band’s favorite songs. It’s a jazzy, almost bluesy voice that works its way through the lyrics like a kid on a jungle gym — word to word, rung to rung — always preserving the old sound and yet putting a new spin at the same time. Talent may be his middle name.

No stone is left unturned at the concert. Rascals’ fans will enjoy the classics and the rarities. The band plays nonstop for two hours, covering 30-odd songs from the beginning of their career to the time when they broke up. The visuals that are broadcast on the giant screen behind them fit the music well; everything oozes the 1960s. I’m not sure if the taped skits of actors playing the band members are necessary, but small errors are forgivable when everything else feels so, so right.

Steven Van Zandt, Maureen Van Zandt and Marc Brickman — all of whom took special bows on opening night — helped pull this seemingly impossible reunion together. This is obviously a labor of love; the trio recognizes the cultural significance of a band that helped define a musical era.

Once Upon a Dream is one of the most entertaining concert events to ever hit Broadway. This isn’t impersonation. It’s the real deal. These guys lived these songs and experiences, and now it’s time to cherish the memories. The Rascals have returned, and it’s certainly a beautiful morning.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream

• Directed and produced by Steven Van Zandt and Marc Brickman

• Written by Steven Van Zandt

• Featuring Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish

• Running time: 2 hours

• Currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 46th and Broadway. Click here for more information.

• Rating: