TCPalm: Davy Jones makes believers out of audience
Thursday, February 10, 2011
STUART — Remember how cute Davy Jones was back in the 1960s? He still is. Sixty-five years old and still able to knock 'em dead with the dance moves from "Oliver," which he starred in as a pre-teen. Jones is still impossibly cute.
Thursday night's show at the Lyric Theatre began with the Monkees' hit "I'm a Believer" and resounded through the years with songs such as "Mary Mary" and "A Little Bit Me. A Little Bit You." Jones danced the shing-a-ling, the skate and the bugaloo throughout the night, backed up by a six-piece band including a woman on saxophone.
Walking on stage after the band had set up, dressed in gray slacks and a black-and-gray shirt that appeared to have wings printed on the front, Jones may now be a bit barrel-chested and his hair gone from black to gray. But all the charm, energy and bad jokes are still intact.
Much of the show is an odd combination of stand-up, flamenco (performed by his wife, Jessica Pacheco) and oldies but goodies tunes. Some of the jokes are groaners, but again it is hard not to laugh when Jones grabs the mic, smiles into the audience and says, "I don't care. John Loesser has already paid me for both nights."
The audience waved copies of Monkee albums — from a time when there were albums — and even laughed at Pocono-style send-ups and what is probably the worst imitation of Jackie Mason ever attempted by a professional performer.
As Jones and his band made their way through the Monkees' greatest hits, the sweetness of the songs and the stories of boys and girls in love were in marked contrast to what plays on the radio today.
The 90-minute show was nostalgic, in a good way. Some in the audience remembered their childhood crush on a short guy from London. Others went wild when Jones sang and danced "Consider Yourself" from Oliver and others reminisced about a simpler time when dancing to "She Hangs Out" was the most fun you ever had.
If you want to have fun, remember the past and just feel good, don't miss this show.
What: Davy Jones
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Where: The Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart
Admission: $38
Box office: 772-286-7827
