Once, in Chicago there was a music venue called Boombala. Located in a marginal neighborhood (today trendy at 2950 N. Lincoln), it’s motto was "Music, Madness and Meatloaf." Many successful performers started out at Boombala. Recently, former owner Phil Johnson and producers Don Orlando and Carl Occhipinti staged a club reunion. Boombala’s talents included artists remaining popular today.  Musical director Beckie Menzie was a hoot delivering Camille West’s “I’m Dyslexic” (“Tish” is my new favorite word). Rob Dorn offered a spirited “I Love to Sing.”  Cheri Coons, hysterical  in her oversized Stetson lauded big guys everywhere with her original lyric (tune by Beckie Menzie) to “Love Handles.” Megon Mc Donough moved the crowd with “Beatles/I Will,”sharing beautifully how hearing the Beatles in her younger days sparked her heart to sing. Host Phil Johnson kept the crowd laughing, but surprised singing “With One More Look at You,” as an appropriate and tender farewell.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
January 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org