La Ti Do

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La Ti Do

The Duplex, NYC, January 27, 2018

Reviewed by Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes

Don Michael Mendoza and Elise Arndt hosted a surprisingly killer lineup of artists with a D.C. affiliation through La Ti Do, a weekly spoken word and musical theater performance series founded in January 2012. Some of the performers at this edition were locals, while others made the trip from D.C., including two cast members from The Wiz at Ford’s Theatre, Jade Jones and Ines Nassara, running March 9 – May 12, 2018.

Arndt started things off hot with a solid performance of a little-known rock ballad, “Cool Rider” from Grease 2 (Dennis Linde), and Mendoza followed with an equally strong “Ready to Be Loved” (Justin Paul/Benji Pasek from Edges). Things really took off with Lawrence Grey, Jr.

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, who finally made his New York City debut despite having hit the 40-year-old milestone a handful of years ago. He performed material from parts that he would love to get cast in, suggesting that he would “someday…play Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.” His “As If We Never Said Goodbye” (Don Black/Christopher Hampton/Andrew Lloyd Webber) certainly stood out as he showed off powerful range, depth, and tone.

Following Grey was Jade Jones, who displayed nearly equal talent and certainly convinced me that The Wiz might be worth a trip down to D.C. Her performance of the Nina Simone-recorded “Lilac Wine” (James Shelton) pulled at the heart strings as she followed Simone’s classic listless, tender style.

Nassara joined La Ti Do with her group, Heroine NYC, which featured a dueling female vocalist in the form of talented Bridget Linsenmeyer. (Their EP should now be released.) Most of the audience seemed to be there for their performance and sang along to their original hits like “Cry Mercy,” which featured assertive lyrics such as “I’d rather watch you surrender.”

La Ti Do makes regular trips to NYC and features a rotating showcase. Check it out! LaTiDoProductions.com

Chris Struck

Chris Struck's debut novel, Kennig and Gold, is due to be officially published in June 2019. He's written reviews for Cabaret Scenes since August of 2017. For more information about the writer, see StruckChris.com