Review: Cafe Nordo's SAUCED is a Delectable Feast in Many Ways

From the moment you set foot into Café Nordo for their current production of "Sauced" you're struck with the wonderful sense of being transported back to the 1930's. But then, with all their ambience and commitment to tone you're no longer in Café Nordo but in the Diamond Club. And once there you should prepare yourself for mystery, intrigue, love, lust and betrayal all set to some gorgeous 30's tunes and served up with a five course meal and drinks for which every new bite causes an "oh my God!" moment.

It's just after the end of prohibition and club owners Mike Binnet and Valerie Rush (Mark Siano and Opal Peachey) run a respectable club. The booze keeps flowing thanks to bartender Saul Needle (Ray Tagavilla) and the music keeps flowing thanks to the killer band including drunken trumpet player Professor Dash (Evan Mosher). But when song siren Charlotte Bright (Billie Wildrick) blows into the joint and stirs up some old trouble for Mike and Val, things will never be the same.

It's a fairly simple story but told with such dedication to the Noir style that you can't help but enjoy. And director Paul Budraitis ensures that the story clips along only serving to accentuate the evening of song and delicious food and not get in its way. Speaking of the food, so often in dinner theater situations it's a fun show with a so so dinner. But Chef Erin Brindley along with cocktail designer Murray Stenson have created a sumptuously mind blowing meal that would be incredible even without the show. And then add into that the stunning musical menu of standards as well as some original pieces from music director Anastasia Workman and the evening becomes one of the liveliest and most fun times I've had all year.

The cast is nothing short of sublime and puts on a fabulous show. Siano and Peachey have a track record for putting together immersive shows from bygone eras and their sense of time and character never wavers. Siano with his smooth and suave club owner that would give Bogart a run for his money and who's rendition of "All of Me" brought down the house and Peachey brings in the perfect stalwart dame who keeps the place running smooth despite whatever her partner does. Mosher manages some insane licks on his trumpet and even gives a fantastic tune of his own not to mention his hilarious lessons in the history of alcohol. Tagavilla acts as the perfect noir narrator as he breaks the fourth wall to enlighten us on all the exposition and goings on in the club. And Wildrick turns in her usual brilliance as the sultry songstress with a past and I must say having Wildrick sing a steamy Cole Porter tune (and one of my favorites) in a slinky red dress ranks right up there with one of life's great joys.

The play, the music, the food, the drinks, the ambience; everything is impeccably put together here making for a superb evening. Which is why, with all those elements in play I have to give "Sauced" a resounding WOW (my highest rating) with my three letter rating system. Do yourself a favor and grab your best dame or fella and indulge in the decadence of the Diamond Club.

"Sauced" performs at Café Nordo through December 20th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.cafenordo.com.

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