We’ve all attended concerts in the park, many classical, sometimes Broadway or pop. But Cabaret in the Park?  Yes, finally, smart and talented Broadway performer, Raissa Katona Bennett, (Phantom of the Opera) is shaking things up by introducing cabaret and Broadway singers to the Tudor City Parks. On a windy and somewhat chilly evening, over 100 people were royally entertained in the north park known as Tudor City Greens. The setting couldn’t be lovelier…gardens, trees, greenery, benches, breezes off the East River and lots of chairs. Her objective: introduce cabaret to a new audience. From what I witnessed her objective was met—and it was FREE!

Raissa, who possesses a beautiful clear soprano voice and a long list of credits, recently appeared at the Metropolitan Room in her one-woman show. With the help of MAC as co-sponsor and Hector Coris (MAC Board of Directors), sponsorship from CIBO, a local restaurant who hosted an after-party, and Vocal Ease who donated the sound system, she assembled a group of talented performers.

Opening the evening were Raissa and Australia’s Variety Entertainer of the Year and Best Male Vocalist (per Mo Awards), Darren Williams, with an appropriate “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.”  Bringing out the big guns early on was award-winning Eric Michael Gillett with the memory of ‘smelling of ginger ale and acne medication’ on “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” followed by the drama of “Separate Lives.” I couldn’t help but notice puzzled people wandering by, trying to figure out what’s going on as they made their way into the park and stayed.

The ever popular hairdresser/comic Richard Cramer was perfect for the kiddies in the audience with “I Always Say Hello to a Flower.”  Tudor City resident Catherine Overfelt, new to cabaret, but singing since the third grade, gave us a taste of “Birth of the Blues,”  while newcomer Maria Moncada, seen regularly at Rita Mae’s in Greenwich Village, treated us to “Perfidia” in Spanish.

Hector Coris made his debut singing on gravel with “If You Love Me” followed by the original, “This Is My American Idol Moment,” with lots of audience laughter.

2008 MAC Award Nominee for Female Vocalist, Jenna Esposito, opened with panache — “13 Men and Me” followed by “Where The Boys Are.”  Darren Williams got to spoof his male/female sides on “All I Ask of You.”  Raissa, with warmth, charm and sincerity, gave us “Think of Me” and singer/songwriter Rosemary Loar (Broadway- Sunset Boulevard, Chess, Cats) resurrected “Memory” along with a clever arrangement of “Quando Men Vo” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” She has a grand voice well accomplished in all styles.

The next concert is scheduled at noon on October 22^nd with different performers.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
September 24, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org