What I liked
I really appreciated the intimacy of the venue, and of the show itself. “Production values” were not high-budget : ) but that actually enhanced the experience – it became part of the fun we were all having together. I especially enjoyed the range of feelings I experienced – surprised, amused, entertained, impressed, moved, and enlightened.
What I didn't like
At first I thought it might be a good idea for Eve to amplify her voice with a headset mic, but as long as the venue is small enough, the unamplfied speech adds to the intimacy. It just means she has to be mindful of projecting sufficiently throughout the show. If “Syncopated Debauchery” finds its way to a larger stage, a mic may become necessary.
My overall impression
“Syncopated Debauchery: A Ragtime Celebration” is an entertaining, educational and moving show which delves deeply into the origins of ragtime piano. Right out of the gate, Eve Elliot creates a direct and intimate connection with her audience through informal, humorous banter, clever costumes and props, audience participation, and of course, her tremendous skill on the piano. Eve’s show packs in lots of information, but it doesn’t feel that way to the people out front. We’re drawn into her tales of the larger-than-life personalities who created and influenced the evolution of ragtime; how they lived, occasionally crossed paths, their playing styles, contributions to music history, and the challenges they faced throughout their lives. She presents all this with humor, wit, and ultimately, reverence, and as we take in the final Scott Joplin number and move toward the conclusion of the show, we find ourselves deeply affected by the arcs of the stories she has shared with us. “Syncopated Debauchery” reveals the wellspring of creative endeavor and the price paid by those who give their all to breaking new ground in the arts. It’s an uplifting and unforgetable experience.
