A funny thing happened last night at the Metropolitan Room. Taking a chance on a show with a concept that I found interesting (if not feasible), “friends with benefits,” I soon found out it had nothing to do with the non-platonic “friendships” that been the vogue for some of today’s singles.

The type of benefits that Amy Wolk refers to are not those of an intimate nature, but rather her numerous cadre of young Broadway theater denizens getting to belt out a few on the theaters’ traditionally “dark” Monday nights.  Amy, conjuring up a singing Jewish Lisa Lampanelli, hosted this closed mic of singers strutting their stuff for their delighted peers.  She was assisted by Mamma Mia’s Gerard Salvador.  There were so many performers with Broadway credits that I have to take everyone’s word for it.

The voluptuous Ms. Wolk presents herself as the archetypical woman with a thousand gay friends but no significant other, a sad staple of New York City living. Luckily for us, she shared her woes tunefully, with a pliant, wiry and distinctly effective singing voice.  Her partner, Gerard Salvador was understandably more cheerful as his odds as an “out” gay man in the city are quite favorable indeed.

Once the host’s introductions were out of the way the evening was a singers’ showcase, with an American Idol feel to it.  Samantha Eggers was the best all-around singer of the evening.  She has a healthy vibrato and sang expressively and possesses an even sound from top to bottom with great pitch.  She showed her versatility singing Bob Dylan as well as musical theater. Emma Zaks belted out a compelling “The Latte Boy” and the prize-winning Anne Steele presented a voice of Jennifer Hudson-like proportions, bounding out with a titanic “I Need a Hero.”  Taking it down just a notch or two would lose nothing, but might gain a long and deserved career.

The men were harder to distinguish, with no particular standouts.  I do not know if it was the generic nature of the contemporary musical theatre selections or their sameness in styles.  Boys, you’ve got some raw talent. Now it is time to find your individual voices.

Keep an eye out for Amy Wolk and her “Friends with Benefits.” You never know if you might just see a future Tony contender!

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
February 2, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org