Broadway Goes A Cappella 3

Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, December 10, 2018

Reviewed by Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes

Virginia Cavaliere started off her show, which featured an ensemble cast, by leading a medley of selections from Spring Awakening, including “Mama Who Bore Me” (Duncan Sheik). The full cast’s harmonization on the lyric “No sleep in Heaven or Bethlehem” was the strongest moment of the show. From there, various singers led parts of the full group in musical theater gems such as “Deep Beneath the City/Not There Yet” (Kristen Anderson-Lopez/James-Allen Ford/Russ Kaplan/Sara Wordsworth) from In Transit. Unfortunately, as if out of ideas, the group also led three audience participation music lessons, the only one of which met expectations was “Do Re Mi” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) from The Sound of Music, where Maria teaches the Von Trapp children to sing for the first time and in counterpoint.

The show did have a few positive moments: “One Night in Bangkok” (Benny Andersson/Tim Rice/Björn Ulvaeus), a barber shop rendition of “You’ll Be Back” (Lynn-Manuel Miranda) from Hamilton, and “She Used to Be Mine” (Sara Bareilles). One standout among those songs was Andrew John Kim’s rendition of “One Night in Bangkok.” Having spent some time in Bangcock I can attest that the lyrics were on point. “One Night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster” (although the lyric “tough guys tumble” might be more accurate). Still better than that was Rachel Karmel’s taking the lead on the Bareilles number, which deserved even higher praise. With a resonant voice and an emotional performance, she stood out among the plethora of performers.

In handling most or all of the rhythm, Aaron Bayne’s beat boxing was even more terrific. The show ended on a positive note with “Broadway, Here I Come” (Joe Iconis). Everyone sang individual phrases with particularly special moments being provided by Mason Van Gieson and Julia Durfee.