The Cabaret Convention closed with performances by 14 singers accompanied by a wealth of talented musicians and hosted by the luminous KT Sullivan. It was an extraordinarily mixed evening. Some of the more memorable moments follow.

Sophisticated jazz talent Hilary Kole offered a really interesting and purposely seductive interpretation of “Come Back to Me” (Burton Lane/Alan Jay Lerner) from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Both vocals and arrangement were splendid. Anna Bergman’s rendition of “Musetta’s Waltz” from Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème showcased her classic chops, but felt out of place. Relative newlyweds Jenny Powers and Matt Cavanaugh sang a duet on “The Best Is Yet to Come” (Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh), with Powers especially showing a ripe, clear, pop ability and great exuberance.

Amra Faye Wright, Broadway’s current Velma in Chicago, performed "I Do What I Can (with What I Got)." It was bright and sexy; she can sing, express and move. Nancy Anderson (pictured), winner of the second annual Noël Coward Cabaret Award, performed his “I’ve Been Invited to a Party” and “I Saw No Shadow on the Sea” in her graceful, expressive soprano. It was easy to imagine her being lauded in a bôite of the period. The multi-faceted Linda Purl offered the unhappiest, most balladic version of Cole Porter’s “Riding High” I’ve ever heard, albeit in good voice.

T. Oliver Reid, this year’s winner of The Julie Wilson Award can stage-whisper a song. His medley of “Spring Is Here” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” (Fran Landesman/Tommy Wolf) utilized that facility. A gracious Stefanie Powers sang Rodgers and Hart accompanied by an appropriate story. The musicality of the actress’s mid-range was a pleasant surprise.

Twenty-year-old Nicolas King, who’s been performing professionally most of his life, sang a medley of “I Won’t Grow Up” from Peter Pan (Mark "Moose" Charlap/Carolyn Leigh) and “I’ve Got No Strings” (Leigh Harline/Ned Washington) from Pinocchio at odds with his seasoned voice and an incredibly dense arrangement. The vocals were clear and strong.

Alix Cohen
Cabaret Scenes
October 22, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org