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Concert Review
Meyer Theatre Wurlitzer Organ Dedication
2/8 Wurlitzer
Green Bay, Wisconsin
May 26, 2005
Excerpt of review by Warren Gerds, Green Bay Press Gazette, May 29, 2005
Return of Meyer Theatre Organ Prompts Cheers, Smiles
A neat bit of local entertainment history played out Thursday night at the
Meyer Theatre. The theater's Wurlitzer pipe organ returned to action in robust ways.
Repair wizard Gary Bieck of Elkhart Lake helped make that happen, plus he tweaked things
a few times behind the scenes as the concert progressed.
About 800 people attended the free event, which included lots of applause and cheers
as organist R. Jelani Eddington of the Milwaukee area introduced his song selections. The
opening tune was Cole Porter's "From This Moment On." Nice touch.
The organ is the same one that was played on opening night Feb. 14, 1930. Its
blonde, shapely console stood on stage, with cables leading to the chamber in which pipes,
cymbals, drums and bells let loose a multitude of sounds.
The instrument was slightly temperamental at times. But Eddington mostly made it
wowwing. A natty dresser with a personable manner, Eddington, 31, is a nimble musician.
He uses no sheet music. Eddington remains faithful to the melody while embellishing it
in scores of ways the instrument allows him to. He seems to create arrangements as he goes.
Eddington flowed through songs of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Broadway.
Sometimes he sped, as in "Tico Tico," and "Twelfth Street Rag." Sometimes he was lyrical,
as in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" -- played for benefactor Irene "Billie" Daniell Kress,
who radiated joy and enthusiasm when she spoke. The evening included a drawing for door
prizes from local businesses.
People stood in line in the lobby to sign up for a newsletter announcing future
events with the organ. Eddington got a standing ovation and cheers at the end.
It was a successful night.
* * *
Warren Gerds writes about arts and entertainment for the Press-Gazette. Write to him at P.O. Box 23430, Green Bay, WI 54305-3430 or e-mail wgerds@greenbay pressgazette.com.
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