Producer Joseph Macchia’s (pictured) stated plan for his monthly Broadway on 22^nd Street was to a present a varying roster of Broadway musical theater performers with a song list of numbers from hit Broadway shows. This edition may have gone wide of a hit songs target, but it made a bull’s eye with three sparkling talents.  Among the three performers, their Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater credentials read like a Playbill recap of what’s worth seeing: Xanadu, Wicked, The Secret Garden, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Crazy for You, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 42^nd Street and others.

The variety-show format gives each performer his or her own time on stage. Stacy Todd Holt, describing himself as a good Southern boy, went the autobiographical route with “I Wish I Could Go Back to College,” and a more-than-usually suggestive  “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” delivered from the top of the piano.  He elicited knowing, appreciative nods from the audience with a well-delivered musical theater performer’s plaintive “Diva’s Lament” (“What Happened to My Part?”).

The tall, dark Liz McKendry’s segment was more varied.  She’s a very promising performer who would benefit from more experience singing to audiences in the intimate surroundings of cabaret.  (The audiences would benefit equally from having more exposure to her.)  Liz’s rendition of “My Simple Christmas Wish,” albeit several months early, had many in the audienc in stitches.  “Meadowlark” was a showcase number and well done, even though a quieter rendition would have made it even better.

The third one up, Marty Thomas, beat out Brittney Spears back in 1992 on Ed McMahon’s Star Search show.  (Okay, that was almost twenty years ago, but I just wanted to indicate he was good even back then.) Thomas is an energetic and animated vocalist who also provided bits of his own history.  A one-time Southern Baptist choir member, Thomas had the audience clapping along with his gospel number, “Lead Me Not,” and scored equally handsomely with “Someone to Fall Back On.”

Broadway on 22nd Street is an ongoing series. The performers’ faces, voices, and styles may change with each show, but producer Macchia is an experienced hand at corralling Broadway talent.  On that basis, I’d be willing to bet that future audiences can be confident they’ll be entertained quite nicely as they enjoy their two-drink minimum.

Maissa Rosen guested, singing a duet with Marty Thomas, Jeff Cubeta was pianist, and John Kitel handled lights and sound.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
April 25, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org