Paul Motondo has al- ways sung very well. He can deliver smooth ballads and bouncy jazz. It is only recently that he is delivering the connections that make for fine cabaret. While many performers seem too full of themselves, Motondo is down to earth. There is a grand connection as he leads the audience in a sing-along of “That’s Amore.“ “Toe to Toe with My HMO” (by Camille West) is clever; we all relate well to the frustrations of dealing with automated answering and indifferent customer service reps about important matters (the HMO is willing to amputate the toe with the ingrown nail, but won’t cover treating the problem itself). Motondo reflects well in Steven Lutvak’s “The House That I Grew Up In,” gently delivering Lutvak’s prosaic details that make the return to one’s childhoom home complex and rich. Excellent musical direction and the occasional harmonies were provided by Mark Burnell. His clever tag of “Whistle While You Work” following “Anyone Can Whistle” is just one example of Burnell’s musical wit and imagination. At times, Motondo should consider standing at the butt of the piano to better connect with Burnell without having to turn upstage. Motondo fussed once or twice about whether he had reached a particular note square on. (He did). Mr. Motondo, we like you when you reach those notes; but in cabaret, we love you best when you share the musical stories that reach our hearts.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
May 8, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org