An all-Cole Porter menu is a natural recipe for success for Colleen McHugh: both are deliciously saucy and spicy.  The appetizer, AKA opening number-- “C’est Magnifique” – did not indicate how magnifique the show would be, seeming felt bland and unsatisfying.  It didn’t even hint at the soon-to-be-sampled range of vocal colors she has. Still, longer songs need more variety in tone and a bit of movement (admittedly difficult with a trio on the tiny Duplex stage—but what a great trio, led by veteran Tex Arnold).  Whenever Colleen is looser with phrasing and tempo, it serves her and the most familiar numbers well.   She’s witty and self-deprecating in patter, off-the-cuff or planned.   Change-of-pace ballads are extremely effective, as she shows her two sides, different as night and day (with “Night and Day” indeed the highlight!)   At her best, like in “Give Him the Ooh-La-La,” McHugh-la-la can do-la-la no wrong.  

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
May 2 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org