The Rascals: Once Upon A Dream

Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish, Dino Danelli, Felix Cavaliere.

“Blue-eyed soul” is a term often employed to describe white bands who play rhythm and blues and soul music.  One band to emerge from the blue-eyed soul of the 1960s was The Rascals, formally The Young Rascals, an American, four-man band that took the world by storm. For two weeks, Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre is playing host to the four original members in The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a electrifying production that is part Broadway show and part rock and roll concert, produced by Steven and Maureen Van Zandt.

The production begins with several musical performances featuring Eddie Brigati on vocals (while energetically shaking a tambourine), Felix Cavaliere on backup vocals and keyboard, guitarist Gene Cornish, and drummer Dino Danelli. These are the original Rascals, and their delight at performing together again is immediately clear to an audience made up of both the generation that listened to their records, as well as a new generation dancing in their seats.

In between musical performances, the screen behind the stage acts as a storytelling mechanism, in which all four band members share their memories of how The Rascals met and how they came to be. Although not acted live onstage by the band, these short video segments are highly effective as they allow the audience to get to know the individuals behind the music. The screen behind the stage also acts as a psychedelic backdrop for the musical performances—“Good Lovin'” is backed up by vignettes showing 1960s teens dancing on a beach, while “It's a Beautiful Morning” is performed in front of bright yellow sunshine.

Once Upon a Dream is made up of 28 musical performances, peppered by short storytelling videos as well as actors playing The Rascals in their heydey, portraying their more important moments. However, the portrayals are unnecessary, as all four original members are on stage in front of the audience, and more is told through their music and energy than acted out in videos. The highlight of the production is Eddie Brigati's performance of “How Can I Be Sure," his voice as strong as ever, melancholy raindrops sliding down the backdrop screen behind him.

Don't miss this fabulous Rascals reunion while it's in Toronto. The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream plays until August 25^th at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.