Rock 'n' roll revue

By weeklyvolcano on July 19, 2006

Such incredible musical artists came out of the 1950s and 1960s: storyteller Otis “The Big O” Redding who swiped the International Male Vocalist Of The Year award from Elvis Presley the year prior to his death; the spirited, multitalented Ray Charles who continues to inspire beyond the grave; powerhouse vocalist Aretha Franklin who demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T and got it; and Sam & Dave with their hits “I’m A Soul Man” and “Hold On! I’m Coming.” Olympia’s Harlequin Productions puts on a heart pounding, high-energy musical tribute to these R&B stars and others of Atlantic Records in their show “Let the Good Times Roll â€" A Tribute to Atlantic Records.” Comfy seating is provided, but if past shows are any indication, most of the audience will be on their feet dancing their way down the aisles to the dance floor and singing along to longtime favorite tunes belted out by Harlequin’s talented vocalists. The music itself is performed by a live, swinging band of musicians. Like the originators of the songs, Harlequin’s performers put a unique and individual spin on each number by acting out the songs’ stories with exaggerated flair and enthusiastic, dramatic passion. After all, they don’t call it musical theater for nothing. Through July 29, 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $29-$34, State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., downtown Olympia, (360) 786-0151. â€" Jennifer Johnson