BWW Reviews: Webster Conservatory Class of 2012 Shines in Cabaret at the Kranzberg

For the past two years I've been attending the Webster Student Cabaret, which this time consists of three talented females and three talented males. This is a Cabaret showcase (I took in the 7:30pm show on 12/13/11) courtesy of the Kranzberg and the Presenters Dolan, which is made possible through the generous work of Jim Dolan. Lara Teeter and NeAl Richardson, lending their talents as the director and musical director/arranger/accompanist, and media contact/organizer, respectively had a mixed group that focused on an eclectic collection of standards, show tunes both old and new, and pop, mostly country-fied. All of which all lent itself to a breezy night of young adults showing us what they've got on their collective plates to offer for their dreams of stardom.

Audrey Rae McHale opened the show with a old Jerome Kern standard that stated her philosophy upfront with “I'm Old Fashioned”, and then proceeded dazzle with a lovely opening set. She was followed by Jared Lotz, who opened with “Something's Coming” (West Side Story), but drew some of the best laughs of the night from Brad Paisley's “I'm Still a Guy”. Lotz showed plenty of moxie and led nicely into the over the top Lincoln Ward, who declared himself sweetly, at first, with the lovely Johnny Mercer tune, “Have You Got Any Castles, Baby”, but really let us know for sure with a medley of “Out Tonight” from Rent coupled with Whitney Huston's “ I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.

Jonathon Foster took over and shined on “Half as Big as Life” from Promises! Promises!, but summed up his personal beliefs with Love Who You Love” (Man of No Importance). Bubbly Mckenna Leisman put her best foot forward on a lovely rendition of “Wick” from Secret Garden. and was followed by flashy closer Sarah Cline who mimicked several famous female voices nearly flawlessly on the tune that set up her life story, “Part of Your World” (The Little Mermaid). It was a nice moment, and it led into a batch of interesting choices before the night was brought to a rousing close with an ensemble version of “Ease on Down the Road” (The Wiz).

Overall, this was a very successful showcase for the considerable talents of the Webster Musical Theatre program, and each of these young adults brought something different to the table. Teeter and Richardson and Dolan put together a fine night of fun, and then did he whole thing over again at 9:30pm. Hopefully, I'll be invited again next year so I can see what new crop has been produced that can take the stage and really make it their own for about 20 minutes apiece.

 

 

 

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