Franc D'Ambrosio came to town to premiere his new traveling show dedicated to the songs of Hollywood. It's a good thing he's such a beloved "adopted" son here in San Francisco after his 5-year plus run as the Phantom, because the show, while cute and fluffy, needs some work.

D'Ambrosio has a pleasant Broadway tenor, suitable to the material he displayed in his last show Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway. He's certainly an actor, which shows in his autobiographical between song patter. It's also one of the main problems with his presentation of songs from the movies, where he emotes the music rather than inhabits and interprets a lyric. The arrangements didn't help him either, forsaking the opportunity to make the songs anything more than one dimensional recitations.

D'Ambrosio worked the material best when imitating singers Mario Lanza ("Be My Love") and Al Jolson ("Rockabye"/"Swanee"/"Mammy" medley). There he seemed to lose himself into the song. All the other numbers had the same Phantom-style delivery which may never elude D'Ambrosio. The song selection was very disconnected, jumping from a sweet rendition of "Danny Boy" to Dr. Dolittle's "Talk to the Animals" to "That's Amore." It's a good thing they just made Phantom into a movie which allowed him to sneak in a medley of the music with which he is so identified."Little Frankie," as his Italian Bronx grandmother used to call him, is an endearing crowd-pleaser and he seemed to be enjoying himself onstage. With some re-working of material and more sophisticated arrangements, this sweet confection may just become a full meal.

Franc D'Ambrosio's Hollywood continues at the Empire Plush Room through April 1.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
March 13, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org