It was quite clear from Geoffrey Going’s opening number, “Purpose” from Avenue Q, that the evening was going to be about finding himself. We learn from his second number, “This Is the Moment” from Jekyll & Hyde, that musical theater is indeed his purpose. It was at a performance of Jekyll & Hyde that Michael Sterling of Sterling’s Upstairs at Vitello’s saw him in the lead role(s) and offered him this spot for his cabaret debut. Going time travels back to his introduction into the world of musicals by singing “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” from Annie, where this love all started. His enthusiasm gave an extra spark to the performance. Perhaps the dramatic reading of “This Is the Moment” came too early in the show but other than that, it was well-paced. His patter was a bit awkward in spots but understandable in a debut performance.

An interesting personal history contributed to his song selection. Buddy DeSylva was his great uncle and was honored with a DeSylva medley. Another relative, Martha Stewart (not the contemporary one, but the wife of Joe E. Lewis, who was played by Mitzi Gaynor in The Joker Is Wild) was saluted with “All the Way” from that film. Family night continued in a very moving and sentimental way as Going acknowledged the support he had received from his father with a touching a cappella version of “Children Will Listen.” Going was ably assisted by Steven Applegate as musical director. Joshua Finkel directed and Colette Peters contributed a top notch guest star spot.

Les Traub
Cabaret Scenes
November 8, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org