at the Rochester Opera House

“Sentimental Journey”—the title pretty much says it all.

The Rochester Opera House is one of the few theaters in the area that doesn’t lock itself into one particular type of performance. One week you might see Charo performing gorgeous flamenco guitar music; the next week you could catch a cast of local performers in “Cheaper by the Dozen” (playing Aug. 16-26). Still later, you can see Loretta LaRoche, international stress management and humor consultant (Oct. 20, and believe me, I’ve already got my tickets locked in for that one).
At the moment, the ROH is bringing back two beloved theatrical events—dinner theater and a show based on 1940s music.

“I put this show together myself with input from Kelli (Leigh-Ann Connors), so it’s an original conception,” said Tommy Hensel, producer and male half of the show. “I created a loose plot (boy meets girl, they become friends, fall in love, break up, feel awful about it, get back together and live happily ever after—trite but fun). I then decided that ‘Sentimental Journey’ was a great song, great title and both a true and poignant concept … So I focused as much as possible on songs about travel (which were huge in the ’40s). I chose a lot of songs, to begin with, then Kelli and I got together and picked the specific songs and created a narrative, of sorts.”

First, guests will partake of a sumptuous dinner of garden salad with choice of dressings, rolls and butter, baked stuffed chicken breast with apricot glaze or London broil with bordelaise sauce, and cheese cake, catered by the Governor’s Inn and its gifted chef, Alfred Druid. (With a little notice, Druid can even whip up a vegetarian alternative.) 

Then comes the show itself, as Hensel and Connors take over the stage in the lovely, air-conditioned Opera House.

The forever-young looking pair begin by meeting at a train station and introducing themselves to “Sentimental Journey” and “Chattanooga Choochoo,” which get everybody’s toes tapping. Other songs from the performance include “Skylark,” “I wish I Were in Love Again,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Stormy Weather,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “I Love Paris,” “As Time Goes By” and many other favorites. Hensel’s trained baritone voice has such a storytelling quality that it’s easy to follow him right along on his journey, and Connors’ gifted vocals transition easily between soprano and alto.
Dessert comes at intermission. Was there ever a more brilliant idea? I think not.

The stage and costumes are basic and bare, allowing the actors to tell the stories with their talents, rather than relying on elaborate sets and costumes. It’s kept to a minimum of a couple of costume changes, and the set is a simple pair of doors, along with a few much-used suitcases and an outdoor café table. Nice and easy, a great canvas on which to paint the tale.
If I had to change one thing—and I’m being picky here—it’s that the band (Brandy Irish on keyboard, Leif Gerjuoy on percussion and James “Batt” Kaddy on xylophone) is right there onstage with the cast. There are likely acoustic reasons for it, but their presence and modern-day appearance occasionally took me out of the journey and reminded me that I was watching a show. I’d be really interested to see what the show would look like with just the simple set and costumes (courtesy of Get-A-Clue productions).

Enjoy the air conditioning, the music, the fabulous vocals and the amazing food (worth the price of admission alone)!

‘Sentimental Journey’ runs at the Rochester Opera House at 31 Wakefield Street through Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. The $35 ticket price ($30 for seniors) includes the show and meal. BYOB. “Show only” seating is available in the balcony for $20. For tickets, call 332-2211 or visit the Web site at www.rochesteroperahouse.com.