Interplayers’ ‘World Goes ‘Round’ entertains without storyline

Cheyenne Nelson kicks off Interplayers’ production of “The World Goes ‘Round” with a powerful and controlled rendition of the musical revue’s title song. Each member of the five-person cast has a chance to shine in this showcase of the work of composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, team behind such classics as “Chicago,” “Funny Lady” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

There’s no engrossing storyline, but each song is a vignette, ranging from a humorous lark to a dramatic glimpse into a character’s heart. The production, directed by Michael Weaver and choreographed by Jean Michelle Sayeg, finds a nice balance between brevity and poignancy.

The set by Ryan Wyche consists of a backlit, black city skyline that makes a simple yet striking backdrop for the performers, who are defined by their distinct voices, personalities and colorful costumes.

Nelson’s voice serves as an anchor, and while the other cast members’ vocals could be showcased better by a stronger sound system or acoustics, they all blend very well.

Jessi Little and Mikah Horn offset Nelson’s power with their soft and pretty voices. Highlights include Little’s performance of “Colored Lights,” and “A Quiet Thing,” sung by Horn. Troy Bruchwalski’s voice seems more suited for opera than Broadway, but his performance of “Mr. Cellophane” is both endearing and humorous. Nic Casaula is funny as a dance instructor who forces the rest of the cast into uncomfortable poses in “Pain.”

A real strength of this production is music director Yan Li, who is an excellent pianist. The two-person orchestra, including Li and a percussionist, sits on the stage but never overpowers the singers.

Despite the stark contrasts of each song in this show conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman and David Thompson, the transitions are smooth thanks to Weaver’s direction. And overall the sum of the parts equal a pleasant evening.