Seasoned and talented in their own rights, Faith Prince and Jason Graae are an unexpected pairing. The Prince and the Show Boy works, with sometimes manic ferociousness, at capitalizing on differences in voice, presence and style. Much of the evening features the two in unrelated solos. Curiously, the artists’ choices neither evidence respective through lines nor relate to one another beyond Prince’s having asked Graae to their Homecoming Dance. “I was the butchest one in the department,” he mugs.

Still, the evening is entertaining and filled with laughter. Graae’s slam-dunk, punctuating cracks are often deliciously funny at Prince’s game expense. “Opening Extravaganza,” a clever, lyrical play on their names, works wonderfully, and “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” (Trey Parker/Robert Lopez/Matt Stone; The Book of Mormon), which uses the Mutt and Jeff quality to its best advantage, is great, hammy fun. A couple of Jerry Herman medleys offer a taste of “ba-da-bump” patter that might be expanded.

Each thespian has worthy turns. Prince’s “Sweet Kentucky Ham” (Dave Frishberg) is evocatively reflective. Skillful phrasing of “Holding to the Ground” (William Finn; Falsettoland) makes it feel truly intimate: “Holding to the ground/As the ground keeps shifting/Trying to keep sane/As the rules keep changing.” “The Boy From…” (Stephen Sondheim/Mary Rodgers; The Mad Show) is milked, in the vocalist’s inimitable fashion, for every tongue-twisting bit of pronunciation humor and naiveté. Spit flies joyously. (Prince still has a brassy belt she lets loose elsewhere.)

Graae’s unfamiliar “To Excess” is hysterically funny, while “What More Can I Say” (Finn; Falsettoland) reminds us of his beautiful voice and acting chops. “I Am What I Am” (Herman; La Cage aux Folles) hasn’t had such an anthem-like airing since the original. The singer lets fly, confident notes careen off the rafters.

Musical Director/Pianist Alex Rybeck works his usual magic and even deftly sings back-up on one song. Directed by Dan Foster.

Alix Cohen
Cabaret Scenes
August 21, 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org