Tyran Parke totally charmed his Don’t Tell Mama audience in spite of his challenging agenda: creating a winning autobiographical show. With a warm personality and a clear, wide-ranging tenor voice, the visitor from “down under” chronicled his small town origins and his path to stardom in Australian musical theater. Parke’s lyrics to his Man of La Mancha opening, “My Quest,” substituted his own life’s passion: to succeed as a performer. Long before the show was over, as far as everyone in the room was concerned, it was a done deal. Utilizing an engaging song list that swung from Sondheim and Lloyd Webber to John Bucchino and Steven Lutvak, Parke’s clever and effective use of a prolonged Evita medley as a foundation for his narrative was a highlight of his perfomance.

There have been scant few cabaret debuts as good as this one — commandingly sung and alternately interesting, funny and touching. Hopefully, Parke’s warm reception will encourage him to return and the next time linger longer. Even musical director Chris Denny, usually preferring to carry out his duties outside the spotlight, was enthusiastic enough about his charge to abandon his characteristic reticence and join Parke in song. Bobby Kneeland was tech director.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
September 26, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org