MORE "HERE & THERE" PART II
Pretty much tied up by making arrangements for the GALA on the 13th, plus kept home most nights by a oppressive heat wave, I only made it out to see on show since last Thursday's newsletter.
On Friday, the 9th of July, I travelled uptown (braving the heat) to THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER to catch Toby Blackwell's show at 8:00 pm. I had promised Mr. Blackwell that I would make it to one of his shows this year, but there seemed to be a conflict or weather issue every previous night, and this was my last chance. And Mr. Blackwell is a very busy actor/singer and only gets to do a cabaret show occasionally - he just returned from a national tour and would be going off on another trek shortly.
Attending a Toby Blackwell show is a little like trying to ride one of those mechanical bulls (or at least what I imagine what that would be like, since I've never actually done it). You simply have no idea which way the show is going to jump and twist next. Titled "Bitter and Be Gay" the show is not for prudes and/or the super religious. It's for folks who want their comedy "no-holds-barred".
Entering the room dragging a wooden cross on his shoulder, Toby opens by speculating what it would be like if Jesus was gay. The comedy is adults only and the skits and songs are risque. But as the show proceeds you begin to realize that there is an underlying theme of both pride and defiance - pride of one's self and one's beliefs and lifestyle, and defiance towards those who attempt to change people into what they're not meant to be. And, as with nearly all of Blackwell's productions, there was a special appearance by Whitney Houston (or a reasonable facsimile), as well as several other divas. This is the type of show that is so clever, so funny, so intricately conceived, so well written, you want to come back and see it again to catch all the funny bits you missed because your were laughing so hard at the funny bits you didn't miss.
The show featured impassioned backup singing by Tony Harris and Brian Golub, outstanding musical direction by Brian Nash and precise direction by Jason Courson. But most of all, it showcased one of the most exciting and entertaining performers in cabaret - a fellow who dares to go where others fear to tread, speak of things usually only whispered, and weave a show that included several costume changes and styles (including some "multi-media" numbers) into a very funny yet thought provoking hour of cabaret.
Well, its time to close off for today and get back to the business side of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE. We've signed on a bunch of new members and subscribers, and now I need to show them that what we do here is worth their investment of time and membership donations. A big thanks again to everyone who performers, sponsored, bought tickets and advertised in the program booklet. And a special thanks to Phil Bond and Kenny Bell at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN and their excellent staff. And one more big thank you to Tracy Stark!
I know as soon as I send this off I'm going to think of more things I should have written and we'll probably include some additional items in Saturday's MEMBERS ONLY issue.
See a show or two this week! Visit our websites! Run a banner or sidebar ad! Join CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE for 2010-2011. Now - more than ever - cabaret (and CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE) needs your support. Every day, in every way, we're promoting cabaret!
Look for more news on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/ ), on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE blog ( http://cabarethotlineonline.blogspot.com/ ) and almost-hourly updates, picks & reminders on TWITTER ( http://twitter.com/cabarethotline ).
And that's just about the way it was. We'll be back on Monday with our Mostly Listings Issue (The MEMBERS ONLY ISSUE goes out as usual on Saturday).
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