The third-grader was surprised that her grandmother knew almost all the songs in the school play. What the youngster didn’t know is that her grandmother would like to sing along with the cast. Lots of people will have that temptation when they see the COHAN production of “Give My Regards to Broadway.” The show will be presented at Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7 and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 8.
“COHAN” cleverly stands for Cornwall-on-Hudson Artists of Note. As you would suspect from the show title and the acronym, the play features the music of George M. Cohan. But, as the young announcers inform us, this is not the Cohan biography (“Yankee Doodle Dandy”) and it’s not a revival of a Cohan musical (such as “Little Johnny Jones”). It’s the story of a down-and-out theatre company that has trouble paying its heating bills. The performers complain about frost bite, and the piano player gripes that he should be wearing gloves.
There are lots of funny lines in the show. One of the best is delivered by an aspiring starlet. “I don’t have to come here to be insulted,” she tells the director. “I can get insulted anywhere.”
But while the script is funny, the highlights of the show are the musical numbers. There are tap dancers, large choruses and a surprising number of talented soloists. The Cohan songs, which date back to a different era, seem like a perfect fit for the historic auditorium where kids have attended school for generations.
Camien Steiner, the mother of two COH youngsters, is directing the show. After the Monday rehearsal she was optimistic. “We’re on the right track,” she said, “and should be ready to shine on Friday.”
Mr. Cohan had a connection to Orange County. He owned a summer home here from 1909 to 1942, and viewed his film biography, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” at a local fire house. When the movie was over, one of the firemen asked how he liked the show. “That would be a tough act to follow,” Mr. Cohan said.
People are likely to say that about the COHAN production this weekend. And, for sure, some of them will want to sing along with the chorus.
