STILL CARRYING ON is essentially a career memoir performed by veteran George S. Irving. An evening that included Irving’s renditions of some of his favorite theater tunes, the whole affair felt like an intimate gathering of friends, brought together simply to reminisce. As Irving entertained us, accompanied by the wonderful Mark Hartman on piano, his love of craft shone through. Even when he forgot a line and had to consult his lyric sheets, George S. Irving, pro that he has been for decades, always remembered to keep the audience engaged.

This show made me nostalgic for the musical theater of yore. STILL CARRYING ON brought me back to those childhood days of wonder and excitement, when I imagined I was seeing something special every time I went to see a show. There really is, or at least there ought to be, something magical about the theater, but that is easily forgotten when one experiences as much of it as I do. Yet, Irving sparked that old feeling. Once again I remembered the warmth and escapist satisfaction of living within a manufactured universe, if only for a few moments, where there are nothing but happy endings.

So, yes, GEORGE S. IRVING is STILL CARRYING ON. As long as he holds memories within him, as long as he can still carry a tune, and as long as he is capable of creating a greeting card of an evening like this one, I say, why not go on and on and on. Sometimes, just to reminisce is just enough.

- Kessa De Santis -

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