Of the four, Miss Shelby-Martin seemed the most comfortable in a cabaret. She had a free and easy way while she bantered with the audience. Her highlighting of the comic lyrics in "Miss Byrd" and "The Alto's Lament" was superb. Mr. Huff and Mr. Brewer were drowned out by the cheering audience when they sang "For Good" from the reigning Broadway hit Wicked. Miss Breckenridge does not just sing a ballad, she caresses it, as she demonstrated in her haunting rendition of "My Funny Valentine."
Accompanying them on the piano was the irrepressible Mark Mullino. As his fingers glide effortlessly across the keys, beautiful music responded. Whether playing backup for the singers or a musical interlude between lyrics, it was an outright pleasure to be in the company of Mr. Mullino's expertise.
Miss Stevenson is conducting "Mama's Party" every Monday evening at Phases for newcomers to cabaret, and has already lined up talent to appear through the end of January. Some of the future "Mama's Party" entertainers include:
For more information on "Mama's Party," please visit the Phases website.
Photo 1: Amy Stevenson
Photo 2: Sara Shelby-Martin
Photo 3: Jason Huff
Photo 4: Matt Brewer
Photo 5: Patty Breckenridge
Photo 6: Mark Mullino
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