Opening brightly with a bouncy instrumental intro, Doug Acosta's instrumental foursome handily set the stage for him and for the show ahead with a rousing rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's “One Note Samba,” leading into Acosta's entry and a second samba, “The Coffee Song" (“They've Got an Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil.”)  A cha cha, “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” followed, affirming Acosta's very pleasant voice and delivery as well as his attachment to a South American beat.  The show visited two of his favorites, composer Jobim and singer Frank Sinatra.  Initially, South American rhythms  predominated.  But even before he turned his attention to a sultry “Where or When,” there was much about Acosta to recall “Ol' Blue Eyes.”  Dark haired, loose limbed and with a slight frame, he communicated with his audience in a similar, casually intimate fashion.  One might wonder if, with more experience under his belt, he'd develop that repressed sexual intensity Sinatra often seemed so easily to communicate.  It might happen.  Sometimes, as he sang his ballads and leaned toward his viewers,  he held the mic stand, seemingly unconsciously, as a person might embrace his lover.

By mid-show, songs identified with Sinatra were much more in evidence and a surprising number of folk in the audience literally were swaying along as he sang.  It was sometimes hard to remember that we were witnessing Acosta's New York cabaret debut. This new face on the scene has promise!

Musical Director Sean Harkness on guitar, Matt Ray on piano, drummer William “Beaver” Bausch and bassist Dave Ambrosio created ingratiating arrangements with a strong rhythmic undercurrent that enhanced both the songs and their singer.  Acosta and the show benefited greatly from the group, with opportunities that allowed each of them to shine independently.

Jean-Pierre Perreaux was the capable hand on the sound and lights.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
July 3, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org