‘Come Together’ revue highlights Baruch students’ musical talents

Caryl Anne Francia, Business Editor

A one-hour musical revue titled “Come Together,” is running in Baruch College’s Bernie West Theatre from April 26 to April 30. True to the title, the show featured a small and intimate group of students coming together to tell a story.

Given the last-minute production change due to cast member Kyle Morales testing positive for the coronavirus before the dress rehearsal, the cast performed what can be dubbed as a playlist of popular songs with strong emotional ties, keeping true to the saying, “The show must go on.”

Jamiel Tako Burkhart was a vocal leader throughout the performance, reciting the show’s only two spoken-word monologues at the start and end of the revue. While delivering the show’s livelier numbers from “Uptown Girl” to “Uptown Funk,” Burkhart also proves to be capable of giving a soft, gentle performance in “Blackbird” and “Ordinary People.”

Although she acts like a seemingly shy, bookish stranger in the opening number, Eunice Ban surprises the audience with standout solo performances of “Invisible” and “I Am” — the latter following a sparkly dress change— truly emphasizing her radiance as she sings with a soft, sweet voice.

Jasmine Belis sings passionately, giving a range of emotions from her soul. She draws in the audience with her high notes in “Hello,” her lively energy in “Wannabe” and tender voice in “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”

While amusing the audience with silly antics in “Hello,” Ilana Sedaka struts with glam in “Uptown Girl” but shows she’s more than that in “thank you, next” — the audience should be “so freaking grateful” for her.

Rebecca DiSaverio performs “Glitter in the Air” in a way in which the audience can fall in love with the ethereal charm in her voice. Many could say it is as sweet as “sugar.”

The set design gives a lot for the audience to look at, from the rainbow-colored illustrated view of the New York City skyline to the on-stage projections made by stage crew member Kevin Gaddi. While audience members may find it difficult to focus on one thing, be it on set of the actual performance, it does capture the hustle and bustle of a city with so much going on.

Reflecting the lively backdrop as well as New York City street fashion, the costume design gives each performer their own standout look while also blending with the city’s diversity-driven vibe.

The direction of the revue allowed the audience to really move along with the songs, both physically and emotionally. It radiates a kind of energy that motivates its audience to either clap along or literally howl like a dog.

For certain, watching this play at the end of a long day does lighten one’s spirits, making them glad they got to see this group “come together” for a wonderful evening.