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Life is a BROADWAY CABARET
Since we were out here in the desert town of Las Vegas for the opening
of Chicago this past week we thought we'd take another look at a
little show we liked last time around called Broadway Cabaret. It
seems with the opening of Tommy Tune in EFX and the upcoming RENT
in October that the city of entertainment is embracing the Great White Way
to fill its showrooms. Tourism is on the rise and the population is rapidly
growing. Among that population are 6 very talented performers who grace
the stage of the San Remo Hotel's showroom.
Broadway Cabaret is a musical lover's delight as the cast takes you
down memory lane by performing memorable songs in full costume from some
of Broadway's greatest, and not so great, musicals. The cast is accompanied
by a terrific little orchestra (with a big sound) led by Brian Tidwell.
The show starts with Mark Moschello as the M.C. in Cabaret bidding
us "Welcome" to the San Remo and the show. When the curtain opens you'll
meet the Kit Kat girls, some soldiers, and of course, Sally Bowles. They
take "Willkommen" home and lead into the "Money" song.
What follows is a string of numbers from shows like 42nd Street, Chess, Phantom
of the Opera, Grease, Sugar Babies, Pajama Game, Evita and A Chorus Line.
The structure of this little musical allows for changes in the program. Since the last
visit they have deleted "Old Man River" and added a crowd pleasing "Music of the Night" from
Phantom.
It's a little show that's big on talent at a price that is affordable.
If you're heading to Las Vegas as I know many of you are to see Chicago and you
need another Broadway fix, pay Broadway Cabaret a visit. From
the opening number, "Wilkommen", to the stunning finale, "One" from
A Chorus Line, the fast-paced show moves just like "Greased
Lightnin'!"
(San Remo Hotel, Parisian cabaret room. Tropicana Avenue, within walking distance
from the Strip. Monday through Saturday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Ticket price is $24.50
which includes 2 drinks, one during the show and one after.)
TIDBITS: The cast party for Chicago went on until the wee hours at the
Mandalay Bay's posh party room on the 43rd floor. The press and locals rubbed elbows
with Chita Rivera, Ute Lemper, Marcia Lewis, Ernie Sabella and the entire ensemble. Lots
of fun and chit chat as they made themselves available to everyone. I don't know how
they do it but on Wednesdays and Saturdays they do a matinee at 7 PM, get an
hour break and do it all over again for the 10:30 show. Now, that's got to be a killer!
As you read above Rent is heading to Las Vegas in October for a limited run
of 16 performances at the Las Vegas Hilton. Last Broadway outing there was the 4 year
run of Starlight Express. If Rent does well, who knows, it just may end up
as an open end.
You're A Good Man Charlie Brown started their new schedule with matinees being
offered on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check out our Broadway Reviews section
where our critic gave a huge thumbs up. Ambassador Theatre, tickets available
through Telecharge. 212-239-6200 or 800-432-7250.
The full page Annie Get Your Gun ad in today's N.Y. Times quotes all the critics
and giving them nicknames..."Lovable" Liz Smith, "Desperado" Donald Lyons, and get this,
"Battlin'" Ben Brantley. A few pages later Vincent Canby writes a feature article on
AGYG. I mentioned this article to Fran Weissler the other night while telling her how
much I enjoyed Annie. She said, "Isn't that nice, and isn't Bernadette just great?"
Incidentally, Fran is a beautiful woman...hard to believe she's 70.
Smokey Joe's Cafe is going the star route. Pam Tillis, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight,
and Tony Orlando will each step in during the next few months.
Sian Phillips bears a striking resemblance to Marlene Dietrich in the new musical play
Marlene which previews at the Cort Theatre on March 30th. Pam Gems, who wrote
this, also wrote Piaf a number of years ago. Can lightning strike twice? We'll
see.
David Hare opens in Via Dolorosa this week. Worth seeing? Our critic was on
the aisle and we'll have our review for you on Thursday. Is it a lecture or is it
a play? I think you'll be surprised.
For every ticket you buy FOOTLOOSE will donate $1.00 to VH1 Save the Music to
help music education programs in our public schools.
Warner Brother's releases the animated musical The King and I this Friday in
theaters throughout the land. The soundtrack features Barbra Streisand performing
"I Have Dreamed", "We Kiss In A Shadow" and "Something Wonderful." Think I'll skip
the theater this week and head to the movies.
Uh oh! Just when you thought it was safe to say "Phantom Movie" those campaigners
who placed an ad in Variety promoting Michael Crawford for the film are up to some
more tricks! Methinks they've outdone themselves this time. We'll have the details
for you in the next column!
See you Thursday!
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