From 1-Hit Wonders to Cloned Mick Jaggers

Squeezing decades of rock ‘n’ roll into a two- or three-hour revue is one daunting task. It has become a habit, though, for music buff and college professor Paul Frizler.

The chair of Chapman University’s English department has been staging rock ‘n’ roll revues since the mid-’70s. His latest incarnation, “The Story of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” opened last week and continues Friday through Sunday at the university in Orange.

Essential to all of Frizler’s revues are costumed students and alumni who impersonate the musicians who sang the significant hits. Perhaps the biggest challenge he and his cast face is capturing the traits that make each artist unique.

“I look at which songs or acts are pivotal, but also which ones I can pull off,” Frizler said before a dress rehearsal last week. Sounding more like a matchmaker than a director, he added: “For example, this time around I’ve got no Jim Morrison, but I do have a great Gwen [Stefani] and Mick Jagger. And this kid playing Michael Jackson is fabulous . . . he’s got all the moves. Now, he is white, but he’s not as white as Michael.”

(The difficulty of matching material to available talent is the reason there aren’t re-creations of such influential figures as the Beatles, the Doors, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, the Clash, R.E.M. and U2.)

“I have a lot of fun. It’s very gratifying to see all the aspects of a song come together. Some people ask me, ‘Why not create something new and original?’ But I find the ability to duplicate something a real pleasure . . . kind of like a great mimic. I’m not really sure why. I’ll have to ask my friend who’s writing a book about psychology in the movies about it.”

For those who believe there ain’t nothing like the real thing, the replica-heavy “Story of Rock ‘n’ Roll” probably will prove disappointing. In fact, a recording of Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88”--the 1948 rhythm-based, crossover tune that opens the show--is the only authentic version to be heard.

That said, there’s still much to recommend in this ambitious, energetic and frequently hilarious presentation that covers doo-wop, R&B;, the British Invasion, folk-rock, psychedelic rock, disco, heavy metal, punk and modern rock. (The production does, however, lean heavily on the ‘50s and ‘60s; the ‘90s receive limited attention.)

By adding insightful commentary, the fast-paced, 3 1/2-hour odyssey succeeds not only in celebrating some of the greats in rock history, but in revealing how the ever-changing genre has mirrored social changes and endured as a cultural phenomenon.

Nathaniel Justiniano plays a key role as “the Storyteller,” the program’s emcee/social conscience who bridges the gaps between various movements and rock’s upheavals. For instance, he notes how white singers such as Pat Boone “desecrated blacks’ sultry R&B; style in an attempt to sanitize songs for mainstream radio.” Illustrating the point was a wonderfully funny skit juxtaposing two versions of “Tutti Frutti”: an uninhibited Little Richard (Bruce Singer) pitted against the tepid, milquetoast Boone (Scott Melvin.)

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One of the biggest crowd-pleasers at a preview last week was “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” the Nancy Sinatra ‘60s-era hit. Flawlessly resurrected by singer Carmela Scalzo (along with two male dancers), this lightweight if entertaining selection may appear to be a frivolous entry, yet as a representation of the numerous one-hit wonders of its time, heck, why not?

Later, our dismayed Storyteller acknowledged that rock in the modern era has become at least partially defined by stylish videos, sexual ambiguity, violence and misogyny, and the pillaging of earlier rock songs. He suggests the liberating nature of rock has given way to mere trendiness, that is, line dancing, the Macarena and the ubiquitous Spice Girls. Of the latter, he said: “This is not music of good taste, but music that tastes good. There are 144 Web sites devoted to Spice power!”

“Are we at the end of rock ‘n’ roll? Is it in its final phase?” asks Frizler in discussing the theme of this particular revue. “The biggest-selling singer today is not a rocker, it’s Garth Brooks. Plus, more and more rock is plagiarizing or cannibalizing its roots.”

During the show’s intermission, Chapman students Laura Jonson and Kim Wittmers, both 19, applauded the revue’s first two acts.

“This is music that I absolutely love,” Jonson said. “It salutes all the timeless rock songs that have touched our lives. Honestly, though, I had no idea that the Sex Pistols were such a major force in punk.”

“Yeah, and I didn’t know the Del Vikings [‘Come Go With Me’] were the first interracial rock group,” Wittmers added. As for using “clones”--as Frizler calls the performers--Wittmers said she didn’t mind. “It takes a lot of talent to imitate somebody’s voice and mannerisms, and it’s a blast to see my peers do it so well. Did you see that guy [Michael Blackman] playing Jagger? His pouty lips, and that prancing and strutting . . . it just cracked me up.”

Though word has spread that “The Story of Rock ‘n’ Roll” will be Frizler’s swan song, he wouldn’t confirm the rumor.

“I’m tired, and right now, I look like I’m 90,” he said. “I don’t know . . . this could be my last [revue], but I could organize more. These shows have all been very successful, but I feel like the law of averages will catch up to me and I’ll finally have a bomb. I think we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

* “The Story of Rock ‘n’ Roll” continues Friday through Sunday at Chapman University, Memorial Auditorium, 333 N. Glassell, Orange. 8 p.m. $5-15. (714) 997-6811.