After Dark Cabaret
Arizona Broadway Theatre, Peoria, AZ, October 25, 2019
Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards for Cabaret Scenes
Without host Kurtis Overby, After Dark Cabaret is more showcase than cabaret. Still, the audience was delighted by the parade of singers, who ranged from young artists in training to members of the current production of Sweeney Todd, to the actors who played Johanna (Nicki Elledge), Judge Turpin (Steve McCoy), and Tobias (Tristan Klaphake).
There were a few moments when the song choice really fit the singer’s voice, the result was a first-rate performance. Elledge showed she is clearly a star with “Stuff Like That There” (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans). She took the mic from its stand, gave us a short intro and then charmed us with her knock-out rendition, even turning it over to MD Josh Condon for the musical interlude.
Taylor Underwood was a believably evil paparazzo with “When It All Falls Down” from Chaplin the Musical (Christopher Curtis). Joe Hornberger delivered an emotional “Who I’d Be” from Shrek (Jeanine Tesori/David Lindsay-Abaire). Matt Flocco made fun of Jim Steinman’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” I happen to love that song, but the audience enjoyed his high jinks.
Pianist Josh Condon is a first-rate accompanist and his opening arrangement of Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm” was a jazz concerto.
Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd was definitely Broadway quality. The After Dark Cabaret held once during each run gives many of the up-and-coming performers a chance to spread their wings while the devoted audience savors their rich voices up close and personal.
