Leslie Orofino's new show at The Hideaway Room is great fun. Her theme is clear: it's Spring Fever, and Orofino is restless. Enough of these winter doldrums, she espouses. Spring marks the resurgence of plants, flowers and -- for Orofino -- desires. Following her opening with "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" and "It Might as Well be Spring," Orofino lets out the stops with a spirited "Spring Cleaning", complete with feather duster and accompanying wiggles as she dusts off everything and everyone on stage.

She's congenial and attractive, with a low-pitched voice that can be compelling with "Soon It's Gonna Rain", seductive with Tony De Sare's "Let's Just Stay In," or just plain amusing. What's amusing about a low-pitched voice? Her rendition of the appetite for a "Two Fisted Double-Jointed Rough and Ready Man," presented in a manner to make any Mae West or Sophie Tucker nod in agreement. And Orofino's own composition, "Cover Me in Chocolate," isn't far behind.

Louis Pietig directed the show, and the excellent arrangements were the work of Musical Director Keith Ingram, aided by Boots Maleson on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums.

Spring Fever is an enjoyable way to spend an evening or a Sunday brunch, and it's on again at Helen's Hideaway Room on April 21st, 22nd, and 25th.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
April 14, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org