Funny thing about the world of cabaret, or any artistic medium, there’s bad, good, and then there’s that spectrum beyond that leaves one breathless in disbelief at the raw emotion that can pour forth from the inner soul, whether through song or as an artist with brush and palette in hand.  Eric Michael Gillett is a master of stunning performance that leaves one breathless as this theme fulfills the magical imagery of the silver screen in its duality of deception and truth.

The show cleverly meshes the known and obscure music that enables us to escape, fantasize, laugh and cry. “Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Mancini/Mercer) and “Somewhere in Time” (John Barry) the latter a soulful rendition of hope, love and sadness with beautiful falsetto, yet bold and passionate.

Growing up in Culver City, Calif. with the movie studios part of his backyard, fantasies began early. Helping his cousin deliver newspapers to the local movie theaters, he’d spend lots of time at double features (they were only 25 cents), forming a solid base for a mystical childhood. Quips and stories such as these added to the genuineness of why “Widescreen” (Rupert Holmes) has particular significance.

Story song “Heroes” (Francesca Blumenthal) cleverly added a reality to the icons of the silver screen: "they didn’t need a PhD. and they didn’t have to pee!"  A medley of songs about the promise of time – “Eternally” (Limelight–Chaplin/Parsons/Phillips) or “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? (Happy Ending – Marilyn & Alan Bergman/Michel Legrand) produced a riveting focus of imagery.  “Separate Lives” (White Nights – Stephen Bishop), a song he’s sung in former shows, had a special determination and meaning that poured forth, his voice full, grand and powerful.

Gillett sings with joy, with heartbreak and feeling and an ability to lift one’s senses, giving new meaning to lyrics that are tried and true, and opening new vistas on more obscure songs such as the witty lyrics of Barry Kleinbort’s “Forgotten Movie Themes” or Maury Yeston’s “I Can’t Make This Movie” or the sad and poignant “Blood on the Moon” (Craig Carnelia).

“New York, New York” (Kander/Ebb) never nominated for an Academy Award, was a lesson in less is more, beginning slowly with voice and bass and building to a crescendo of humorous joy sans the Liza walk!

Eric Michael Gillett wears many hats, among them busy director, actor, teacher and the 2010/2011 guest director of the Big Apple Circus. He brought two vocal technique student protégés to perform; Kelly McDonald, the magical “Over the Rainbow” (The Wizard of Oz – Arlen/Harburg) and Nina Kaneko “Home” (The Wiz – Charlie Smalls/revised lyric from the film ) both bringing greater understanding to the multi-layered talents of Mr. Gillett.

Accompanied by Jeff Cubeta on piano and Matt Wigton on bass, with arrangements by long-time collaborator Don Rebic, Eric Michael Gillett once again proved why he is referred to as "this amazing man."

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
September 1, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org