Making the transition from musical theater (her performance at Northlight Theatre’s Grey Gardens was unforgettable) to cabaret—especially in a relatively small venue such as Davenport’s—can be challenging. For the most part, Hollis Resnik accomplishes it well. She finds Noel Coward’s wit in “(Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage,) Mrs. Worthington.” She begins as an irritated curmudgeon, ultimately building the story to an adamant frenzy to keep that young troll as far away as possible from show business. While the belt in the middle section of “Scarlet Ribbons” was an unusual choice, the quiet, tender encore of “More I Cannot Wish You” (from Guys and Dolls, but unfortunately cut from the film version) was more moving because of Resnik’s quiet, simpler delivery. Doug Peck served well as musical director and accompanist, sensing the ebb and the flow between Ms. Resnik’s moments of power belt to tender reflection.

Toward the end of her show, Resnik handed a half-gallon jar of brown powder to an audience member saying that it contained “Bea Arthur’s ashes.” She explained in a few minutes that the jar actually contained hot chocolate mix. Of course, having attended Bea’s memorial celebration in 2009 in New York City, this reviewer bristled at the intended gag. Moral: when it comes to onstage patter, you just can’t please everyone.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
December 31, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org