Small club, small stage but oversized personality…songs and presentation which ain’t subtle… sometimes the oft-touted “intimacy of cabaret” becomes the claustrophobia of cabaret. That happened at times with Robyn Spangler whose gutsy struts as A Bad, Bad Woman overshadowed some more attractive qualities in manner and voice and personality. Singing assertively, she seemed out for blood or red-blooded men in her short, tight blood-red dress and high heels and lipstick smile. Soon this red, red Robyn came bob-bob-bobbin’ along into the front row’s men, flaunting and flirting. Then she used Cole Porter-provided humor to reneg on the “offer” because, to cut the chaste, she’s actually “The Laziest Gal in Town.” This helped. Maybe there should’ve been a two-wink minimum for this cabaret show. That art of successfully putting your tongue in your cheek while keeping a straight face yet winking and singing can be a tricky multi-tasking order. Robyn’s humor came through very clear indeed with “Menopause Rag.” Other hot flashes seemed rather too flashy. And then, how unsettling to drop all that and suddenly turn seriously confessional: relating that, at sixteen, she was pressured to give up her virginity (she didn't) only to be deceived and dumped by the guy and learning that he and her best friend…!

Musical Director Todd Schroeder was a great asset and bright light, attentively playing piano and playing along with some humor. His song, “You’re Free, I’m Gone” was a highlight and showed the singer at her best. Erv Raible directed.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
February 2, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org