by Rich Massabny

The play, Side Man, was a Broadway hit a few years ago, because it is a nostalgic look back 50 years ago when the big band era was pretty much winding down. Author Warren Leight's father was a trumpet player and sideman, which means a pick-up musician who fills in with orchestras as they pass through town.

The Keegan Theatre and its ensemble cast do real justice in creating the mood of the early and mid-50's in New York. I grew up in New York and as a kid, recall those days when sidemen hung out at Broadway's Turf Room or at bars near Basin Street on 52nd Street looking for gigs. It was the way of life for guys not already hooked up with the biggies like Woody Herman, Ray Anthony, Dizzy and the rest. The Keegan Theatre, working out of Church Street Theater in the District, returns the audience to those simpler days.

Chris Stezin, plays Clifford, son of one of the sidemen, Gene (Kevin Adams). Clifford, presumably the author and narrator of the story is a grown son living with his parents. His alcoholic mother, Terry, is abusive to his dad, Gene, who is an easy-going, wonderful trumpeter, consumed with getting a job and not paying enough attention to his wife. Terry is played to the hilt by Amy McWilliams, who focuses the show with her, yes, funny screaming and cursing at her husband and others. McWilliams captures the delicate balance between humor and pathos in Terry.

The other sidemen who hang out with nice guy Gene, are Al, Ziggy, and Jonesy, (Scott Graham, Eric Lucas and Mark Rhea), who are wonderful and a throwback to those days. Chris Stezin's character flows gracefully in and out with reflections of the past of these guys even before he was born. Charlotte Akin, as a young Patsy, who knew all the boys in varying degrees of closeness and as a present day, older woman, is a jewel playing this likable role. Director Leslie Kobylinski does a great job of making you care about these characters. Sound designer, Tony Angelini, holds the mood intact with the 50's sound (pre-Elvis).

This show is not to be missed!

Side Man plays through June 5 at Church Street Theater, 1742 Church St. in D.C. Call 703-527-6000 for information and tickets.

Rich Massabny