This
musical cabaret featured the works of Broadway composer John Kander and lyricist
Fred Ebb. They wrote music for such musicals as Chicago, Cabaret, Zorba, Fosse, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. The
Canadian singer, Ryan G. Hinds, came out with bright red glitter
lipstick, his suit and skin glowed orange in the hot stage light. The
pianist seemed bland by comparison, only lit by the glow of light off of
the sheet music. I couldn’t catch the lipstick in my sketch.
The
show combines musical theater with celebrity gossip. He had Liza
Minnelli as a mentor and she inspired his career. Chita Rivera was also a major source of inspiration. The songs were
romantic and funny. He told the story of a musical set at the sea shore.
When he heard the musical as a high school student, he suddenly
realized that the lyrics could be interpreted as being rather dirty.
Songs about splashing in the waves could be reinterpreted as being about
pleasure filled orgasms and maybe a golden shower.
The
singer met both Kander and Ebb loving one and being snubbed by the
other. It was a fun cabaret and the final song seemed to come too soon.
When the audience stood for a standing ovation, the singer shouted out,
“Oh sit down! Of course I’ll do another song.” It was typical of the
light hearted humor that was laced throughout the show. If you love old
school Broadway musicals, then this is the show for you.