The Herricks Community Players have done it again...they have pulled off another spectacular production under the experienced and talented direction of John Hayes, producer Carol Hayes and the professional musical direction of Kim Oler.

This is Oler's first time with the Herricks Players and it is magnificent to see what this seasoned Broadway musical director and composer has been able to accomplish with a cast of 18 outstanding singers who were not professional, but now under his talented hand, sound like it. He has worked tirelessly and turned the entire production into a musical good enough to rival any Broadway review. He has been relentless about phrasing and timing and the results speak for themselves. Oler is a pro and it is quite clear that any show he musically directs must attain the same high standards that he sets for himself. He is an outstanding pianist and has picked the perfect combo to work with him.

Each solo number is filled with the pathos he has injected into it. When the entire ensemble fills in the background with such beautiful music the simple but meaningful lyrics and music, created by Irving Berlin, comes alive with a whole new meaning.

The show is based on a book written by Berlin's daughter Mary Ellen Barrett and conceived by Karin Baker. Berlin basically created music to mirror his life and truly after all is said and done in spite of the many travails Berlin had to face, he had a good life that lasted for many, many years, 101 to be exact.

Warren Schein is Irving Berlin and in between telling his life story he intertwines Berlin's classic tunes with his lovely voice. So many of his songs were written for his wife Ellen Mackey Berlin, played so well by Barbara Murphy. The wealthy Mackey family, who originally were from Roslyn, Long Island were horrified when Ellen announced that she was in love with and wanted to marry Irving Berlin. Her family, staunch Catholics, and Berlin, a Jewish songwriter from New York, were an inconceivable match. But the two were not deterred by the opposition and embarked on a journey comparable to any great lovers in history. Only, instead of book form, their love story was played out in song.

Some of the songs are very old, but still so lovely such as Say It Isn't So, magnificently performed by Dan Urban; White Christmas and Easter Parade with Murphy as the focus and the male chorus - just delightful; Rosemarie Farrar does a lovely job in delivering How Deep Is the Ocean, written for Ellen when her father sent her abroad to get over Berlin. Of course the standard There's No Business Like Show Business is spectacular, followed by the stirring God Bless America, all Berlin classics.

The cast of 18 are all wonderfully talented and each one that has a solo part does it with such grace. The dance numbers are expertly crafted by the talented Barbara Murphy and Annmarie Pistilli. The leads in the cast are: Andria Amarosa, Matthew Bellas, Paula Groothius, Bill Kane, Barbara Tromba, Annmarie Pistilli, Maura Ryan, Warren Schein, Michael Spicer and Dan Urban. Backed up by an incredible chorus of Cheryl Glusband, Penny Payne, Beth Hollander, Christine Eisen, Melissa Ryan, Jack Groothius and Vivian Higgins.

The costumes are perfect thanks to Eleanor Leslie, Penny Payne and Teresa Musolino, who also supplied the props. Bob Leslie, with the help of Steve Szachacz, did his usual fine work constructing the stage. Russell Brown did the lighting which is just right and Rob Gibbons the sound. The loose ends were tied together by stage manager Peter Triolo and his dedicated stage crew

Just make sure that you don't miss this glorious offering that may be seen on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. and on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and children. Call 742-1926 and order your tickets today.