Marianne Challis made her mark with this reviewer several years ago with her show, Party Girl. We admired her then, but like a fine wine she's continued to mature in a most satisfying way. Her talents have a keener edge, and the current The Party Continues was top-drawer cabaret.

Challis connects in so many different ways that it's hard to put them in order. Because she's essentially a singer, we'll start by noting her rich and velvety voice -- expressive, and wide-ranging. In addition, Challis enjoys her patter and, being witty and personable, keeps her audience charmed as she segues from song to song with anecdotes and asides ranging from observations on face lifts to urgent reasons for owning inexpensive purses.

Continues benefited greatly from Challis's helpmates: Musical Director Chris Marlowe's polished arrangements and the accompaniment of John Beal on bass and John Redsecker on drums, plus the sensitive lighting of J. P. Perreaux. Scott Barnes directed, and while his contribution is hard for an observer to assess, as Nancy LaMott once said to him, it's to his credit that "his fingerprints aren't obvious on the show." When Marianne Challis is performing nearby - run, don't walk.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
June 8, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org