The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The joint was jumping last week as "The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers" took to the stage at the Lutcher Theater in Orange.

Written and directed by Brad Henshaw, the show gives a definite nod to the original Blues Brothers movie. Henshaw, who plays Jake Blues, the character created by John Belushi, clearly channeled Belushi when he put the show together. The crowd was cheering and clapping to the music in great delight to classic blues and rock tunes such as "Everybody Needs Somebody," "Gimme Some Loving," "Shake a Tail Feather," "Do You Love Me?" and "Jailhouse Rock."

Elwood Blues was played by Daniel Fletcher. He has clearly studied Dan Aykroyd in the part, because some of the time his voice, speaking and singing, was almost indistinguishable from Aykroyd.

The show also contained all the signature Blues Brothers dance moves which had the crowd howling.

The Bluettes, Jocasta Almgill, Victoria Ekanoye, and Victoria Goddard, all had strong voices and each was able to showcase their vocals in a featured song.

Luke Jasztal played several characters including the minister and gave a nod to Cab Calloway in Minnie the Moocher.

The band was also awesome and deserves a mention.

Vickie and Tom Foreman were at the show with friends. "It was great," said Vickie. "It brought me back to Joe Bailey's, the Circle Club and the Pelican.performers could sing, dance and were funny." Vickie said she was still dancing in her head the next morning.

"It was great," seemed to be the common comment. That sentiment was shared by Carlton "Corky" Harmon who attended the show with wife Betty and Commissioner David Dubose.

The evening was also used as a fundraiser for Soul4soles, a group providing shoes to the needy. The current promotion will bring shoes to those who have been devestated by the recent tornadoes in different parts of the country. For a $5 donation you received a pair of Blues Brothers sunglasses.

There is one show left in the current Lutcher Theater season. "Charlie Russell's Recollection of the Old West" written by and starring Jim Crump on April 12 will be a world premiere. The two act play takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the theater or check out their Web site to buy tickets at Lutcher.org.