“Sunny Afternoon” brings The Kinks greatest hits to The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Photo credit: Carol Rosegg)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier seems an appropriate site for a retrospective British invasion of Chicago.
This energetic jukebox musical, “Sunny Afternoon,” enjoying its North American premiere here in Chicago, is based on the story of the Kinks as told by lead singer and songster Ray Davies, filtered through the adept hand of playwright Joe Penhall.
Following on the heels of the success of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, another group of working-class lads from the outskirts of London called The Kinks made their mark on the history of Rock and Roll.
Their first big splash on both sides of the pond was “You Really Got Me” featuring an iconic fuzzy five chord guitar riff.
The fifteen-member cast of talented actor/singer/dancer/musicians, directed by Edward Hall, move seamlessly onstage and around the theater, through twenty-five musical numbers often playing multiple roles while switching instruments as necessary to provide the very appreciative audience with virtually nonstop entertainment.
The beginning of the second act is punctuated with an impressive solo by Kieran McCabe as drummer Mick Avory.
Danny Horn perfectly embodies the pivotal role of the depressive Ray Davies, plagued by his feverish mind and manic need to create.
Oliver Hoare plays Ray’s uninhibited and rambunctious brother Dave Davies a/k/a “Dave the Rave” whose sometimes comical and often boisterous antics take their toll on those around him.
Horn and Hoare are both imports from the popular West End production of the show.
The roughly seven-year storyline covering the rise of the group, their egregious record deal and arduous touring schedule, combined with strained personal relationships, is not much different from the experience of many rock and roll bands of the era, but it is enough to supply the narrative necessary to create an excuse to move from song to song.
“A Well Respected Man” is used cleverly to introduce the band’s self-described Torrey managers Larry Page (Sean Fortunato) and Grenville Collins (Will Leonard) whose uptight characters provide much of the comic moments in the show. “He’s a well-respected man about town – – Doing the best things so conservatively.”
Horn sings a beautifully harmonious duet of “This Strange Effect” with Anna Margaret Marcu as Ray’s girlfriend and soon to be wife Rasa.
The show’s title song “Sunny Afternoon” is inspired by the idea that after the tax man has gotten his share of the money and his girlfriend has left, at least he can enjoy the freedom of a summertime sunny afternoon.
The grand finale reprises a medley of the Kink’s most memorable songs, “All Day and All of the Night”, “You Really Got Me”, and “Lola.”
They “really got me.”
DETAILS: “Sunny Afternoon” is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, through April 27, 2025. Running time is about 2 and a half hours with a 15-minute intermission. For tickets and information visit ChicagoShakes.com
Reno Lovison
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