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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical Also see Gil's review of Single Black Female
The show takes place in the office of Clooney's psychiatrist in the summer of 1968, and frames Rosemary Clooney's story through a series of therapy sessions in which she reflects on the triumphs and struggles of her life. At first, Clooney is reluctant to open up about the traumatic moments in her past but as their conversations unfold, the action shifts fluidly from the doctor's office to moments from Clooney's past, recreating key episodes from her personal life and celebrated career, including her presence at Bobby Kennedy's assassination and her breakdown during a Reno, Nevada concert. Throughout these memories, many of her signature songs are woven into the narrative, including favorites such as "Come On-A My House," "Sisters," "Tenderly," "Hey There," and "Mambo Italiano." An interesting aspect of the show, which was created by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, is that instead of featuring a large cast to portray the various figures in Clooney's life, the production uses just one actor to play all of the other characters, both male and female, from Clooney's past, shifting rapidly among figures such as Bing Crosby, José Ferrer, and various friends and family members. While this approach initially feels inventive and allows for some clever theatrical moments, the device gradually begins to wear thin as the constant character switching feels repetitive and occasionally distracting, making it harder to fully invest in the emotional weight of certain scenes. It also provides less variety and makes Clooney's life and the problems she faced seem less significant than they were. Fortunately, the musical does provide both an emotional resonance and nostalgic charm, reminding audiences why Clooney's voice and artistry made her such an enduring presence in American popular music. Gina Guarino's portrayal of Clooney captures both the warmth and vulnerability of the singer. Her bright, brassy, and powerful singing voice delivers the musical numbers with impressive vocal skill and emotional sincerity. Guarino's depiction of the serious lows is impressive; her delivery of Clooney's breakdown during the Reno concert is riveting. Tony Blosser demonstrates versatility in juggling the many roles, even if the structure of the show sometimes limits the depth that each character can achieve, and though Blosser's depictions of the three famous men in Clooney's life, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and José Ferrer, aren't that realistic. Jodie Weiss' direction keeps the pacing tight and the music direction by Stephen Kuebelbeck derives a lovely sound from the small on-stage orchestra. The creative elements, including Douglas Clarke's set design and the lighting by Nathaniel White are simple yet effective. Masi Hosler's costumes are period perfect, and Avant Johnston's wigs depict Clooney's signature style. The sound design by Chris Neumeyer ensures the vocals are clear and crisp. Despite some structural challenges, Phoenix Theatre's Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical offers an enjoyable evening of music and storytelling, serving as a heartfelt tribute to a beloved performer whose life story deserves to be better known. Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical runs through May 3, 2026, at The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ. For tickets and information, please visit phoenixtheatre.com or call 602-254-2151. Director: Jodie Weiss Cast: *Members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors & stage managers in the U.S. |
