2001 CHICAGO AREA TOP 10 CABARET SHOWS
By Todd Shuman
2001 was
a great year for cabaret in Chicago, and it certainly was a busy one - I couldn't even guess how many shows I saw over the past twelve
months. Now that the end of the year has rolled around, I thought
it was time to look back over the last year at some of the highlights.
I saw some great shows from visiting performers like Jason Graae,
Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Julie Gold, Karen Mason, Jason Robert
Brown. Of course, seeing Amanda McBroom perform in Milwaukee was one
of the highlights of the year, but in looking back over the shows
I've seen in the last year, many of my favorite moments came when
I saw local Chicago artists perform. With such great talent in Chicago,
it was difficult to narrow the list down to ten, but, without further
adieu, here is my list of the top ten Chicago cabaret shows for 2001.
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1. Colleen
McHugh, "Tales of Revenge and Regret"
Ms. McHugh never ceases to amaze me - she's one talented
singer who should go far! She does one of the most perfect renditions
of "When She Loved Me" that I have ever heard. And what better
way to celebrate Valentine's Day that enjoying a show about
revenge and regret.
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2.
Cherri Coons, Sara Davis, George Keating, Lisa Menninger, and
Jonathan Weir, "Yadda, Yadda, Yadda - The Lyrics of Cherri Coons"
A 30-song tribute to one of Chicago's greatest lyricists.
I can't think of another way I'd rather spend two hours than
seeing this show and listening to Cherri Coons lyrics!
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3.
Stephen Rader, "Even Stephen - Stephen Sings Sondheim"
I admit it, I am a Sondheim fan, and I would rather hear
Stephen Rader sing Sondheim than almost anyone else. He's one
of the best male vocalists in Chicago, and I think he was born
singing "Being Alive."
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4.
Joan Curto, "Unexpressed"
Ms. Curto is a fantastic performer, and she had no problem
expressing herself in this first rate show! She puts Patti LuPone
to shame when she sings a Bucchino song. |
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5.
Daryl Nitz, "Jazz Legends Live"
Absolutely a first - rate show. This tribute to Louis Armstrong,
Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday by impressionist
Daryl Nitz was moving and extremely entertaining. The arrangements
by Mark Burnell were impeccable and some of the best I have
heard.
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6. Jennifer
Chada, "I Want More"
This was Ms. Chada's first show, and what a show it was!!
Mixing traditional cabaret songs with a little blues made for
a great night, and her voice and stage presence make her a "cabaret
natural!" I can't wait to see her next show.
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7.
David Balsie, Matt Davis, and Patty Morabito, "Grapefruit Moon
- The Songs of Tom Waits"
This 80 minute show was so different from anything I have
seen. A great show all around, with three talented performers
singing such wonderful songs.
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8.
Justin Hayford, "A Rare Find III"
I love hearing songs I've never heard before - especially
when they come from the likes of Harold Arlen and Frank Loesser.
What makes them even better is when Justin Hayford performs
them.
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9. 3
Girls 3, "From Hip Hop to Boogie - A Century of Girl Groups"
It was so nice to hear so many great songs from "girl groups"
by my favorite Chicago "girl group." Thanks to Gail Becker,
Patty Morabito, and MaryMonica Thomas for taking Chicago through
this musical history.
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10.
Rob Lindley, "Cast of Thousands"
Even though it really didn't have a cast of thousands, this
show was one of the great joys of the year. Seeing Mr. Lindley
perform "I've Never Been to Me" as Josh was worth it alone, but
seeing him perform as himself was even better. |
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