Vocal talents aside, Miles Phillips is one of the most personable cabaret singers to be found, and it reflected brightly in his reprise of Specific Overtures -- the show's title can be broadly interpreted to refer to life's starting points -- at the Metropolitan Room.

Communicative and moving, Phillips brought a persuasive style to his selections "at the inception," including a rib-tickling rendition of Sondheim's "Don't!" song, "Invocation and Instructions to the Audience." Adapted from Aristophones' original, Phillips maintained a prohibitory sternness as he cautioned those in the room against committing a variety of mid-show faux pas, as thoughtless today as two and a half millenia ago.

Stressing the romantic intoxication and anticipation inherent in very personal overtures, Phillips offered "Kiss Her Now," "Marry Me a Little," "What Can You Lose?," "Love Sneaks In" - Got the Idea? Mid-show, Phillips added backup singers for "Baby, Talk to Me" from Bye Bye Birdie. Rob Langeder, who later duetted with Phillips, was one of four, including Kristopher Monroe, Jason Wynn and the show's tech director, Michael Barbieri, whose harmonizing matched his highly-polished achievements with lights and sound. Jason Wynn's arrangements were both inventive and effective.

Phillips promised a new show this coming October. Watch for it, it should be worth circling on your calendar.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
July 7, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org