By Marilyn Lester***Not only do Evangaline Johns and Ariana Johns share a surname, by virtue of DNA they are also mother and daughter—as well as a duo of certifiable charm and talent. How delightful that they’ve been putting their excellent relationship into cabaret shows such as this latest edition, VANGARI: Funny You Should Ask! in which all who are mothers or daughters (or others!) can especially admire and enjoy.
Thus, when they sing, “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Very Far From the Tree” (John Kander, Fred Ebb), you know there’s plenty of truth in those lyrics. The “Vangari” in the show’s title, by the way, is the combination of their names, more proof of a truly admirable closeness.
Evangeline has extensive credits in musicals, plays and in film, best know in that medium for New York November, May the Best Man Win and New Amsterdam. On stage she soloed in Late Night Catechism, and was also seen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Night Mother and BUZZ, Son of a Bee, among others. Ariana is a writer, lyricist, actor, singer, producer and director. She’s recently written the book and lyrics for a new musical, Glamour & Grit, with composer Darryl Curry, after writing the lyrics for the musical comedy BUZZ, Son of a Bee…an actor’s life for me . She’s acted in numerous plays and comedy revues across the country. That’s quite a lot of talent on one stage, not to mention music director-pianist Curry, who also offered vocals, such as, with Ariana, on “A Certain Age,” written by th
e two for BUZZ, Son of a Bee.
Evangeline just happens to be completely endearing and quite hugable as a woman of a certain age. It was stunning to hear her rendition of “Grandma’s Song” from Billy Elliot (Elton John, Lee Hall) sung with the appropriate Irish accent. This grandma is not one of apple pie and bright smiles, and the intensity of John’s interpretation was forceful. Another stunner of a sweeter kind came with the blues. The sweet-visaged Johns has discovered and makes a hearty meal of blues tunes, some in the gutbucket style. Her renditions of “Women Be Wise” (John Beach/Sippie Wallace), “Take It Right Back” (Bessie Smith) and the neo-blues, genre song, “Marie Laveau” (Shel Silverstein/Baxter Taylor) were delivered with full-throttle commitment. Not to be outdone, Ariana offered the torchy, bluesy “Something Cool” (Billy Barnes).
Clearly, throughout Funny You Should Ask! the Johns are having fun. Evangeline, explaining her love of singing from an early age and experiencing a childhood practice of singing with her older sister as they washed and dried dishes, enlisted Ariana into the role as they acted out the ritual with “My Adobe Hacienda” (Louise Massey/Lee Penny). Donning scarves and assuming an exotic look, the two delivered perfect harmonies with the gypsy tale of “Golden Earrings” (Livingston,Evans, Young). Joined by Curry, those harmonies were again heard in the light, frothy “Java Jive” (Milton Drake, Ben Oakland).
The encore of “Accentuate the Positive” (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) was not only a philosophical statement and call to action, but a clear demonstration of the excellent direction provided by the guiding hand of Christopher G Carver and the choreography by Max McGuire and Mark Mindek. This team, with Curry, put together curated songs that were far more than the usual and delivered a show full of passion, depth and fun.
