The
Best of Chicago Cabaret in 2003
By Todd Shuman
Well, 2003
has come and gone, and the time has come to look back on the shows
from last year.
It was
another banner year for cabaret in Chicago - we once again played
host to a Cabaret Convention that brought us performance by Julie
Wilson, Andrea Marcovicci, Philip Office, and many, many others
notable out-of-town performers. 2003 also brought us the return
of Karen Mason, fresh from Broadway's Mama Mia and Baby Jane Dexter,
and the Davenport's Cabaret debut of Ann Hampton Callaway.
Not to
be outdone by their New York counterparts, our local Chicago cabaret
performers provided many of the best and brightest moments over
the past year. It's always difficult to narrow the list of great
performances down to just 10, but here's my attempt to list the
top 10 shows in Chicago Cabaret of 2003.
1. Stephen
Rader, "Dolly Would - The Music of Dolly Parton" - Stephen Rader
is consistently one of the top performers in Chicago, and, in this
show, he proved that he's always willing to take a chance. It paid
off. Mr. Rader's tribute to the Dolly Parton songbook was one of
the highlights of the year.
2. Suzanne
Petri, "A Marvelous Party!" - Suzanne Petri knows something
about throwing a party, and with guests like Marlene Dietrich, Edith
Piaf, and Yvette (of Mother Courage), Ms. Petri's party was certainly
a marvelous time!
3. Foiled
Again, "Dark Days Cafe - The Songs of Joni Mitchell" - Joni
Mitchell is not the most upbeat songwriter in the world, but the
members of Foiled Again (Alison Bazarko, Rob Lindley, and Sheridan
Smith) had a lot of fun exploring her songbook, and the audience
enjoyed hearing their breathtaking interpretations of her music.
4. Phillip
Caldwell, "Some Other Time" - Phillip Caldwell made his Chicago
cabaret debut this year in one of the finest shows of this year.
Blending classic songs like "The Nearness of You" with lesser -
know modern classics like "No Good at Love," Mr. Caldwell took his
audience on a musical journey through the various aspects of love.
5. Tom
Michael and Beckie Menzie, "Hey Look Me Over - The Songs of Cy Coleman"
- Chicago audiences have long recognized the talent of Beckie Menzie
and Tom Michael, but they topped themselves in this high energy
and highly enjoyable show!
6. Mark
Burnell and Anne Pringle, "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" - This
tribute to "those who live on the outside" never failed to entertain.
Mr. Burnell and Ms. Pringle showed their audience, once again, why
they rank among the best.
7. Pamela
Sue Fox, "Noel and Cole" - The vivacious Pamela Sue Fox has
made a name for herself in Chicago cabaret by re - interpreting
the music of classic composers. This year, Ms. Fox offered us her
take on Cole Porter and Noel Coward in what was, probably, the wittiest
and most sophisticated cabaret shows of the year.
8. Sharon
Carlson, "Hot Flashes on the Road to Spandex" - After an absence
on the cabaret circuit, Chicagoan Sharon Carlson stormed the proverbial
barricade with her celebration of middle age. Combing a great voice,
a gift for patter, and marvelous material, Ms. Carlson gave us one
winner of a cabaret show.
9. Kat'
Taylor, "Chocolate and Sex" - What can be better than chocolate
and sex? Why, Kat' Taylor, of course, and her mix of pathos and
humor made for a great evening of cabaret!
10.
Jeanne Scherkenbach, "Treasures From My Trunk" - Jeanne Scherkenbach
made her "debut" this year in an outstanding evening of songs from
her trunk. In this collection of music that she'd recently re -
discovered, Ms. Scherkenbach took her audience on an amazing journey
where we laughed, cried, and heard great music interpreted by a
great performer.
Todd Shuman
Copyright
© 2004 by Todd Shuman
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