CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

Chicago Cabaret Professionals'
Sunday Afternoon with Sondheim: An Unfair Review

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

When roughly thirty top flight cabaret performers deliver quality performances in "Sunday Afternoon with Sondheim," (performed at the CLAUDIA CASSIDY THEATER) sponsored by CCP (Chicago Cabaret Professionals - http://www.chicagocabaret.org/ ), it seems quite unfair to single out particular performances.

With so many performers offering effective interpretations, would it be right to single out KT McHammond's wicked, sensuous, yet blessedly understated presentation of "I Never Do Anything Twice"? It would hardly be egalitarian to fuss about how well Bradford Newquist's interpretation of "No One Is Alone" captured the essence of Sondheim's message that each of us must rely on his or her own character and heart. I may suffer reviewer guilt for spotlighting Carol Moss' hilarious take on the nonstop, geometrically increasing frenzy of "Getting Married Today". How appropriate in a cavalcade of such quality is it to mention how Dalphine's (Holly Mc Guire's) smoky jazz interpretation of "I Remember Sky" reminded us that rhythmic variation and richness need not come at the expense of the journey of a song.

Might it be grossly unfair to share with CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE readers how Margie Gibson's presentation of "Loving You" stayed in my thoughts days after the hearing? Margie, whom many Chicagoans have long enjoyed as a smooth and honey-voiced singer took us to a different and deeper place in this performance: Loving another human being is often an emotion we can not control and that lack of control can lead to a certain kind of madness. Disturbing? Maybe, but Margie helped us understand.

To carefully review this program I need more virtual column space than Mr. Hamstra can reasonably provide. Thus, I am failing to mention more than a dozen excellent performances. As sung by Nathan Detroit, the best I can offer is, "So, sue me".

It would not be unfair to say how host Jeff Rossen's genuine love for the art of cabaret and admiration for the work of Stephen Sondheim added warmth to theafternoon.

It would NOT be unfair to talk about how the quality of this virtually sold out (in a theater seating about three hundred) program accurately reflected the real worth of Chicago Cabaret Professionals to the performing arts community. It would not be inappropriate to reflect on how much the organization brings to audiences and cabaret professionals alike. In a few short years CCP transformed itself from an exclusive clique to a source of meaningful support for cabaret artists at all levels. (Some years ago, a CCP notification led me to my first - and I might add successful - audition as a cabaret performer.) The association provides the cabaret community with networking opportunities, educational workshops, and showcases for artists having varying backgrounds. CCP is exploring the establishment of a lending library for cabaret music. (What an excellent resource that would be!)

In a short while, CCP has almost doubled its membership. By creating value to the larger world of current and aspiring cabaret artists, Chicago Cabaret Professionals has truly earned its successes.

The CLAUDIA CASSIDY THEATER is part of THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER (78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL - 1-877-CHICAGO - http//www.877CHICAGO.com/ )

Copyright, 2005 by Carla Gordon

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