Review: Neil Sedaka Story: Laughter in the Rain at the Liverpool Empire

Neil Sedaka

The Neil Sedaka Story
LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN
Liverpool Empire

7.5

Laughter in the Rain, the story of the rise, fall and rise of Neil Sedaka is a slick show full of his memorable hits, an interesting storyline and great characterisation.

The set is an arched lighted arena with a small accomplished band at the rear and the main action front stage making the show seem intimate even on such large stage.

The energetic dancers and singers in 50s and 60s costume mingle perfectly with the main performers. Projected onto the back screens are nostalgic scenes of the period showing first Sedaka’s humble home, scenes of his stamping ground, Brooklyn, and later the QE II, The Beatles, Liverpool, and other high profile hitmakers of the day.

Sedaka (Wayne Smith) trained as a classical pianist and was the star of the Julliard School of Music at 16, but it was as a pop star he was to make his name. Laughter in the Rain tells the tale of his early beginnings, teamed up with Howard Greenfield by their mums where they all lived in the same Brooklyn housing block. The two shy young men, who are not accepted by their more streetwise peers, soon gel and find they have a joint talent creating brilliant recordable songs.

Their first break was with Stupid Cupid sung by Connie Francis (wonderfully performed by Carla Freeman). The boys’ careers then went into the stratosphere, writing songs for many high profile artistes, including Barry Manilow.

However, Sedaka, tenacious in his ambition, wants to perform himself. They set up in the Brill Building where many historic songsters of the day were working, such as Carole King and Paul Simon, turning out hit after hit including Oh Carol (Carol King with whom he was at school) and Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.

Wayne Smith as Sedaka puts in a sterling performance. He looks like a young version of the star and his voice could easily mistaken for the real thing, though some top notes are a little wobbly. Whilst the storyline is woven seamlessly through the songs, Smith also chats to the audience, along with other cast members, who intermittently narrate the background to the action.

The music world changes with the emergence of The Beatles and the ‘British Invasion’ and music tastes change, and telling us about this Sedaka (Smith) jests, ‘oh you’ve heard of them’ and says they came from Liverpool, to great cheers from the audience. These little asides cleverly draw us into the action making you feel part of the story.

Eventually Sedaka, and his wife Leba, to whom he is still married, came to the UK, where his fan base never wavered, and resurrected his career. Elton John signed him to Rocket records and his USA career then took off again.

There are many excellent performances in this show, and it’s hard to find any negatives. Perhaps Elton John and Tony Christie (Kieran Brown) could have been found some suitable wigs to make them look more credible! However, Brown’s rendition of Amarillo was spine-tingling.

As with all Bill Kenwright’s productions (with Laurie Mansfield) the finale was ratcheted up to fever pitch with a medley of well-known hits that had the punters on their feet, dancing, clapping and wanting more. Kenwright with his friend David Moyes (Everton Manager) were in the audience. They could not have failed to have been pleased with this first-night performance.

For Sedaka fans, and those who just love songs from the 50s and 60s this is a pleasing show to watch, even if it doesn’t set off any fireworks. It follows in the tradition of Mamma Mia and Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is a well worn track that seems to work and please.

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