Applause! Applause! Molto bene! An evening to be remembered long after the last note and dance step are but a distant memory. Scott Siegel has finally outdone Scott Siegel! Well, knowing the creator/writer/director/host, I’m sure he has a lot more tricks to pull out of that hat to surprise his audiences again and again. The creativity and production values of All Singin’ All Dancin’ rival some of the best of Broadway.

Assembling a top cast including the comedic Karen Murphy (“Just Another Rhumba”), Kevin Bernard, who spent an entire show looking for his lost “Waltz (Do I Hear A…)” and instead found Jeffrey Schecter in “Be A Performer”, along with the ever sweet sounding Liz Callaway (picured) and “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” are only part of what made this superior evening of entertainment perc.  Lest we forget, Douglas Ladnier came all the way from the south of France to “Begin the Beguine” and pay tribute to songwriter Ervin Drake—sitting up close and personal with gorgeous wife Edith—as he sang “Good Morning, Heartache” and what sounded like a grand symphony arrangement of “I Believe.” Alexander Gemignani was hysterical with “Leading Men Don’t Dance” (they pose! they emote!) as Spencer Liff danced the dance, flowing like silk.  Jessica Lee Goldyn and Jeffrey Schecter were an outstanding song and dance duo on “Me and My Girl” while newcomer /favorite tapper Kendrick Jones was all “Heart.”

There’s always a piece de resistance and here it was cabaret favorite Marilyn Maye, who at a tender age has the strength and vitality of every one of The Siegel Dancers.   Ms. Maye is a seasoned professional who knows how to turn a lyric and spin them she did on “It’s Today” and appeared as a silent, but forceful finale to the extraordinary dancers on “Ten Minutes Ago.”

The anti-no dance fake ending added a delightful moment as it turned into a “Broadway Melody” of various songs with full cast.

Special kudos go to the extraordinary talents of choreographer Josh Prince who created the moves, to Scott Siegel for choosing him and to Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band of musicians.  The only downside: this is a show that should run more than one evening. What’s in store for next season? We can’t wait to find out!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
July 27, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org