The 5th Annual Broadway Cabaret—Ballet Theatre of Phoenix

ASU Kerr Cultural Center, Phoenix, AZ, February 23, 2025

Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards

This is the first year that I have reviewed this annual event. This year, it was held at the Kerr Center for the first time, which allowed the performers an upgrade in lighting and sound in one of the best venues we have for cabaret. Jennifer Cafarella Betts is the founder of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix (BTP) and is the energy and creative force behind the annual fundraiser that supports the PLIES Program (Providing Leaps in Elementary Schools.) She describes herself as a “Broadway nerd” and she reminded me of a slightly taller Anna Kendrick. She served as emcee and brought charm, humor, and passion to the task of raising money for her cause. In addition to PLIES, the money raised would also support her “Silver Swans,” the senior ballet students who range in age up to 103.  Midway through the show she oversaw a brief live auction and handled it like a pro. She was profuse in thanking the donors and the talent that had come out to support BTP.

The cast consisted of some of the best singers in the Phoenix area, all of whom donated their time and talent. They were accompanied by Gregory Bench, a gifted pianist who hails originally from Northern Utah and looks to be fresh out of the pages of GQ.  He donates his time as BTP’s ballet accompanist and spoke eloquently about the importance of community support for the arts.

The cabaret opened with “My Favorite Things” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) sung perfectly by Brenda Foley. She stood near the piano, allowing center stage to be filled with seven of BTP’s youngest dancers. Her voice was pitch perfect, light and articulate.  It’s hard to sing the same lyrics twice, but she managed to make them new again with different speaking or singing phrases that allowed the girls on center stage to shine.

Sarah Weichman and Shani Barrett were up next with the little-heard duet from Chess “I Know Him So Well” (Benny Anderson/Bjorn Ulvaeus/Tim Rice). They played off each other like the friends they are, and their strong voices soared.

Sydney Davis countered with “Ring Them Bells” (Kander & Ebb). Her comedic storytelling had just the right amount of movement and set the audience up for the enjoyable time that lay ahead. Charish Forbes followed with “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” (Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice). She was charming and shared that Jesus Christ Superstar was the next show coming up for her and that she needed to get the song off her mind. We were treated to several duets over the afternoon including “One Second and a Million Miles” (Jason Robert Brown) from Bridges of Madison County, which was sung by BTP cabaret veteran Taylor Hudson and his talented friend and first timer to the event, Sarah Cleeland. The song is challenging, and they did it justice.

Although there were several highlights, I am a huge fan of a clever parody song, and Lauren and Rob Stanis did a knockout job with a parody of “Sing” from A Chorus Line (Marvin Hamlisch/Edward Kleban). Mrs. Stanis is a dance teacher and choreographer, and they did a hysterical take on the fact that Mr. Stanis can’t quite “dance.” There were stops and starts and shtick and the audience rolled right along with them. I learned when I spoke to them after the show that Mr. Stanis is the company manager for Arizona Broadway Theatre. I would love to see them mount their own cabaret in the Encore Theatre at ABT.

Intermission provided the opportunity for old friends to connect. Children could work off energy on the grassy lawn of the historic Kerr, which was donated to Arizona State University by its former owner Louise Lincoln Kerr. She opened her home to artists and musicians across the globe as far back as 1948.

Valley star Trisha Ditsworth opened the second half of the show with “Love Look Away” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Flower Drum Song. Having played Maria in The Sound of Music she was totally at home with any Rodgers score. The song also gave Bench a lovely musical interlude. BTP student Lucy Glow (who told us that she had started ballet the day the school opened and is now 14), sang “I Could Have Danced All Night” (Lerner & Loewe). Her strong soprano voice defied her age.

Actor/singer Matravius Avent (father of an energetic toddler) got a laugh when he stepped to the mic and confessed that he needed a nap. However, he was in great voice and made a real connection with “First You Dream” from Steel Pier (Kander & Ebb). Hudson came back with the classic “The Impossible Dream” (Joe Darion/Mitch Leigh).  His baritone range allowed him to leave the audience “on a high note.”

Betts last fundraising pitch went on a little too long but she made it clear how BTP planned to spend the money raised and how the organization was continually expanding its reach. Then she called upon three singers to “bring the show home.” Shani Barrett came out with the tour-de-force cabaret choice “Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride” (Jimmy Roberts/Joe DiPietro), which she milked for every twang, joke, and belt needed to thoroughly entertain us. She reminded me of the brilliant comedians who were recently saluted on the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special. Chris Elliot followed with his take on the current political need for artists to “Make Them Hear You” (Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Andrews). He would have made Brian Stokes Mitchell proud. Lastly, seven BTP dancers jazzed it up to “You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me” (Alan Menken/Howard Ashman from Aladdin) while it was being sung by Valley cabaret star Seth Tucker.

No one was credited with being the show’s director, and a few tweaks here and there would have polished some of the performances. Broadway classics need a personal interpretation to keep from being an imitation of the original-cast recording. Holding one’s head still, not donning eye glasses that reflected the lights, resisting the urge to grasp the mic stand, not stepping back in a duet, and forcing your partner to turn their back to the audience were small faux pas in an otherwise glorious afternoon of songs.

Last year’s fundraiser brought in $18k, and hopefully this year’s did just as well or better. Given the charisma of BTP’s Betts and the talent she attracts, it seems likely.