It’s always a pleasure to see a new production in the DMV. They are far and few as far as I am concerned. But, to see one conceived, written, and performed by one of Broadway’s finest, and she brings it for its world premiere in Alexandria, then you know you are in for a treat. Believe me when I say, the people here will be forever grateful they came to see The Story of a Rose.
It was here at the Northern Virginia Community College’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall that the magnificent, marvelous Melissa Errico brought the story of her beloved Aunt Rose to life for the very first time. After witnessing this new musical unfolding right before my very eyes, I see nothing but great potential that this amazing story will be told to the world near and far.
The sound of the trumpets and the piano playing, and suddenly we were transported to the New Amsterdam Theatre over a century ago, hearing the unforgettable tune of “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag” to warm us up for the journey we are about to partake in the next few hours. We were getting ready to hear the one Ziegfeld Follies girl – Broadway’s own Melissa Errico, as her Aunt Rose. Right out of the gate, we listened to the great works from Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern. The first song, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” delivered the pizzazz that is needed to start things off truly. Then, they slowed things down a bit with “They Didn’t Believe Me”, a song that can make anyone cry and feel.
From the first note to the last bow, Melissa was Aunt Rose, and we were along for the ride. She invited us to follow her on a tale of immigrants, soldiers, and songs during the First World War. Along the way, we learned that Aunt Rose’s family came from Italy and immigrated to the United States. In the early part of her life, we learned that she was part of the famous Ziegfeld Follies, entertaining people from around the world. During the first act, we learned through Errico’s pictures of her great-aunt that she had wanted to be like her since she was twelve. I could say she accomplished the mission and more. When Errico sang the song “Roses of Picardy” about Rose, written in 1916, I felt that it was a fitting tribute to Rose, who inspired her to become the artist we know and love all these years.
Melissa gave us some insight into her life while teaching us some history about the war that I had never known. For instance, over two million Italians came to America between 1980 & 1910. One of the fun moments of the first act was when her special guest, George Abud, played multiple roles throughout to help tell the tale. I still couldn’t believe that the melody of “Funiculi, Funicula” or A Merry Life was so familiar that it took that night to finally learned its name. Melissa and George sold the song by having the audience sing along to its chorus. What a fun moment that was! Abud continued his stellar performance when he briefly played Ziegfeld and sang a stirring rendition of “In the Beautiful Garden of Girls” that brought the house down. Another song, “Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers” (try saying that five times fast), was such a tongue twister, but Melissa made it sound so effortless and eloquent. You also have to give credit to the band under the direction of Tedd Firth, who kept up and sped up the pace so brilliantly.
The historical content continued to excite me as we learned about the role of women in the war, and the one thing they asked for was the right to vote, which was finally granted in 1920 in America. Additionally, the fact that Jerome Kern missed a boat ride that could have saved his life is a reminder that we may have lost out on some great compositions down the road. I will let you figure out the name of the ill-fated voyage. Towards the end, the audience got to sing along as a quartet of trumpeters and aisles of doughboys led us all to the WWI – “Over There” and that was Act One!
The second act was just as amazing as the first, but it took a different pace. Abud reintroduced Errico onstage, but this time she was dressed as a doughboy, helping to promote the effort with “Can’t You Hear Your Country Calling,” which sounds like the perfect call to action during that time. It was after this song that Melissa introduced us to the fantastic band, and they were on fire that night. Please keep this band when you go national!
I can’t stop talking about learning the historical content that I learned during the show. One of the brilliant people I didn’t know while I was in school was James Reese Europe, who led the first jazz band to perform at Carnegie Hall. Not only that, he brought the Harlem Hellfighters overseas to not only fight but to entertain the troops. We got to hear his composition, “On Patrol in No-Man’s Land,” and listening to this piece for the first time was beautiful. As a history buff, I must salute Melissa for her tireless efforts to bring historical facts and knowledge to the musical. She has killed it with her research, and it soothes my historical soul – job well done!
There is so much more to this musical, but you have to see it for yourself when it comes to your city shortly. This new musical takes on a journey that you’ll miss and be grateful for when it’s all over. Errico has taken a story about a fantastic aunt and turned it into a musical masterpiece. With a stellar partner in George Abud, amazing costumes that are breathtaking, a band that entertains us for a couple of hours, and brilliant historical facts that make you want to research more about the forgotten war, The Story of a Rose is A MUST SEE for people of all ages. While there is a quote in the musical that says “The Singing Will Never Be Done,” I hope that this musical will return, and it will never be done.
FINAL GRADE: A+
About The Author
More Stories
