Copacabana
Based on the ever-popular Barry Manilow song, 1985'sCopacabanais a light, innocuous hour and a half. Dime-a-dance girl Lola LaMar (Annette O'Toole) longs to showcase her talents at NYC's famous Copacabana club. She and bartender-songwriter Tony Starr (Manilow) meet cute and fall in love with visions of fame dancing in their heads. O'Toole's strong voice and sexy shimmers are showcased in "Man Wanted," while Manilow shines in "Who Needs to Dream" and "Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)." When suave Rico (Joe Bologna) offers Lola a headliner at his Havana nightclub Tropicana, she jumps at the chance. Broken-hearted Tony stays behind singing the blues until he discovers Rico's intentions are not honorable. A big dance number and rescue ensue. But as in the song, there is a showdown at the end and Lola is left alone with faded feathers in her hair. Campy and clean,Copacabanagives musical fans a fix but leaves them wishing for a little more substance.--Dana Van Nest