Who else but Amy Armstrong can make us howl at “I Farted on Santa’s Lap” then dreamy at “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” within five delightful minutes? Armstrong is arguably the best all-round entertainer in a burlesque-oriented approach to cabaret. She brings powerful vocal chops and moves like a naughtier Jackie Gleason. Armstrong leads the pack when it comes to audience dialogue. Indeed, I plan to take her advice about mooching tags from Pottery Barn then attaching them to gifts purchased from the dollar store.

Special guest Daryl Nitz’s impersonation of Frank Sinatra singing “Away in a Manger” is also hilarious. Cattle aren’t lowing; they’re“moomoo-ing” in that over-consonanted Sinatra style. In How the Diva Stole Christmas Part 2, at Lakeshore Theatre, Armstrong, along with long-time musical collaborator Freddy Allen pulls out the stops. Armstrong’s alcoholic version of “Twelve Days of Christmas” is another hoot with her slurred explanation of how “slippery nipple” means a cocktail. I’d raise a todka vonic (!) with Amy any day!

Amy& Freddy continue at the Lakeshore Theatre December 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 PM and Dec 23 at 4:00PM

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
December 9, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org