The stars came out shining bright in tribute to composer John Kander who, with lyricist Fred Ebb, wrote some of the greatest musicals of our time: Cabaret, Chicago, Zorba and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Host Sean Hartley interviewed Mr. Kander while Broadway’s best sang his songs. Where did the great master get his musical abilities?  “I Get My Music From My Dad” sang Jason Danieley.  Kander related that Dad had a big voice; Mom was tone deaf.  Fred Ebb was the perfect writing partner because once they started writing, they couldn’t stop, producing 90% of their songs in the same room – the power of collaboration!

Witty charmer David Hyde Pierce presented, with delectable Debra Monk as icing, a delicious “Sara Lee” (“there’s no H“). As if that wasn’t enough, Pierce would make the perfect smarmy agent with “Ten Per Cent” (cut from Broadway’s Chicago). Monk was raunchy and riotous in “It’s a Business” (Curtains).

Gorgeous Marin Mazzie didn’t mind shaking her booty and more on “Ring Them Bells” and was a powerhouse with “But the World Goes Round.” Karen Ziemba sang unplugged, seated on the apron of the stage, and winding up with a big finish for “(Theme from) New York, New York.” Danieley’s heartfelt personalization on “I Miss the Music” (Curtains) brought tears to Kander’s eyes as he recalled Fred Ebb.

Kander refers to Chita Rivera as a “goddess.” She did fit the description as she strutted her stuff with “All That Jazz” and oozed “Love and Love Alone” (The Visit). Heidi Blickenstaff turned in a winning performance with “City Lights” (The Act).

New on Kander’s horizon and opening soon at the Vineyard Theater is The Scottsboro Boys based on a true story of nine Southern black boys arrested for raping two white girls in 1931. Kander describes the musical as an old-fashioned black minstrel show. “Go Back Home” is a song expressing the nightmare the young men experienced.

Paul Masse accompanied the performers and David Loud weighed in as Music Director.

The evening was a can you top this of the great writing team of Kander & Ebb. Oh what a night!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
October 26, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org