Steven Lutvak

Writer Upton Sinclair's bid for the governorship of California ... the classic novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame ... the movie, Kind Hearts and Coronets ... Steven Lutvak's personal life -- they're all inspiration for Steven's continuing brilliant song and theater writing, which he presented to an overflow audience one evening at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Steven, at the piano, and assisted merrily by KT Sullivan, Nancy Anderson and the chameleon-like Price Waldman, offered portions of his new musicals-in-progress, Campaign of the Century, based on Sinclair's 1934 foray into politics and Kind Hearts and Coronets -- collaborations with Robert Freedman and Esmeralda, based on Hunchback. Ending the evening was Steven's soloing on several of his now-classic songs: The Dinner Party (with its "inevitable finale"); Museums (moments shared with his father, who was in the audience), and his moving collaboration with Carol Hall, I'll Imagine You a Song. Connecting all the pieces, and connecting with the audience, were Steven's own warmth and humor. He's promised a return in the spring.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
November 4, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org