The "Queen of Soap" (As The World Turns) is at it again offering up her annual Christmas saga at the Metropolitan Room. Eileen Fulton may sing about “I Want an Old-Fashioned Christmas” (Foster/Tarr), but this lady is light years away from that lifestyle!  The daughter of a Methodist minister, divorced from three (!) husbands, Fulton maintains a flourishing career as the "Queen of Drama" presenting a most unusual holiday morsel for audience tasting.

She is a consummate story-teller and actress, especially clever and funny on theatrical pieces such as Duke Ellington’s “You Dirty Dog,” herein dubbed “Dog Tales.” This grew into an on-going bow wow tale as we gained familiarity with poor little bloated animals, Virginia Dare, the pregnant Cocker, and Amelia Earhart, the drunken Pekinese who loved Bombay Gin. Second husband Danny Fortunata played more than a bit part in the story. We’re told this is only Part I of “Dog Tales” as Fulton’s spring show will continue with Part II.  Additional four-legged teasers will include Ella, Rosie, Simone, Judy. Why, this could be the start of another soap!

Ever theatrical, Fulton continues with the tragedy of love lost in New Rochelle during Christmas in the "Dinner for One Medley" with heart-wrenching “Dinner for One Please, James” (Michael Carr) “Losing My Mind” (Sondheim) and “I Don’t Care Much” (Kander/Ebb). There is a sinister and mysterious edginess that prevails throughout as the musical arrangements create the darkness of the moment. The primitive native drum beat that marks “The Little Drummer Boy” gives continuity to this memorable mood.

Wit and laughter triumph on Randy Brooks’ “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” supplemented with narratives about Grandma and Grandpa and the gift of hot pink longjohns with the cut out crotch…ho, ho, ho! The moral – "never give a license to a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves."

Eileen Fulton has a magnetic charm, a big heart and the ability to give generously as a skillful actress. With friend, singer Julie Budd, they duet on Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” spreading the holiday cheer to a warm, appreciate audience. Musical Director/Pianist Bob Goldstone is remarkable along with Tom Hubbard, bass and Steve Bartosik, drums.

One additional show is scheduled on December 12^th at 7:00 p.m.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
December 5, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org