The Cabaret at The Columbia Club 2014 Winter-Spring Schedule

Indianapolis' posh nightspot, The Cabaret at The Columbia Club ~ overlooking Monument Circle, has released its 2014 Winter-Spring Season Schedule and it looks good. Check back for reviews.

Known for bringing divalicioush, devilish and delightful entertainers to the Indy stage, The Cabaret has built such a reputation top performers from the stages of Broadway, television and film are lining up to step on our stage. This season brings back audience favorites and those who might become a new favorite.

2014 Schedule

AN EVENING WITH MEGAN HILTY

January 18, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

BELTING BLONDE BOMBSHELL

The Cabaret’s Fifth Anniversary Season opens with Broadway and television star, Megan

Hilty. Megan gives an evening of Broadway showstoppers, along with selections from her brand

new album It Happens all the Time. On stage, Hilty starred in Broadway’s Wicked and 9 To 5: The Musical, as well as City Center Encores: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Audiences also know her as Marilyn Monroe/Ivy Lynn on NBC's SMASH, earning her a Grammy nomination for "Let Me Be Your Star." Hilty can currently be seen alongside Sean Hayes in NBC’s Sean Saves the World.

Tickets: $65, $75, $86, $95

CHESTER GREGORY: THE EVE OF JACKIE, A TRIBUTE TO JACKIE WILSON

February 14 &15, 8:00 PM

The Cabaret celebrates Black History Month with Broadway star Chester Gregory in his award-winning show: The Eve of Jackie. Gregory reveals the sometimes tragic side of the man who recorded more than 50 hit singles from 1957-'75 with “Lonely Teardrops” to “(Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me) Higher and Higher." Gregory’s Broadway credits include Sister Act, Hairspray, and Dreamgirls. Other credits include The Jackie Wilson Story, Hairspray the Movie and performing for Michael Jackson.

Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55

STEPHANIE J. BLOCK: THIS PLACE I KNOW

March 7 & 8, 8:00 PM

VOTED BY THE AUDIENCE AS THEIR #1 FAVORITE SHOW OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS!

Stephanie J. Block has established herself as one of the most relevant and versatile voices in contemporary musical theatre. She starred on Broadway in Wicked, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, 9 To 5: The Musical, The Pirate Queen and The Boy From Oz (opposite Hugh Jackman).

Most recently, Block starred in the Off-Broadway musical, Little Miss Sunshine. The Tony-nominated performer shares songs from a vast Broadway career and from her solo album, This Place I Know.

Tickets: $35, $45, $55, $65

TIERNEY SUTTON: AFTER BLUE, THE JONI MITCHELL PROJECT
March 19, 8:00 PM

JONI MITCHELL REIMAGINED
FEATURING MARK SUMMER AND SERGE MERLAUD

In her most daring and revealing project to date, five-time Grammy nominee, Tierney Sutton, pays homage to the revered pop singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Sutton puts her unique stamp on Joni Mitchell tunes going back to “Both Sides Now” and “Big Yellow Taxi” to more recent numbers like “The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines,” “Be Cool,” and “Don’t Go to Strangers.”

Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55

MEOW MEOW: FELINE INTIMATE

(Image at top)
April 11 & 12, 8:00 PM

a lesson in performance art exotica

The bustier-clad, vampy, sexy and slightly deranged chanteuse “drags cabaret kicking and screaming into the 21st century” (Time Out NY). Her purr-fectly unique, post-post-modern brand of kamikaze cabaret has hypnotized, inspired and terrified audiences worldwide. Expect nothing less than sequins and satire; witty wicked Weimar; 60’s French pop; Brel, Brecht and Kitt; mayhem and magnificence.

Price: $25, $35, $45, $55

CYRILL AIMÉE

April 23, 8:00 PM

A MODERN SERVING OF GYPSY JAZZ

Internationally renowned, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Born in Fontainebleau, France, Aimée’s introduction to jazz was the result of the fortuitous location of her upbringing in Samois-sur-Seine, where the legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt once lived. At the young age of 27, Aimée has already released five CDs internationally, was winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition and a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition.

Price: $25, $35, $45, $55

KARRIN ALLYSON: ROUND MIDNIGHT

May 2 & 3, 8:00 PM

A SMOKY AFTERGLOW AFFAIR

After a dozen releases on Concord Jazz over the course of two decades, and three Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album along the way, the versatile vocalist/pianist still believes that the emotional connection that takes place in a small, quiet club during the late hours is one of the best parts of the jazz experience. Explore the warmth and depth of an artist who engages with a range of music from Gershwin and Porter to Duke and Thelonious. The evening will feature songs from Karrin’s vast career as well as from her newest release, Round Midnight.

Price: $25, $35, $45, $55

JAMES TORMÉ: LOVE FOR SALE

May 16, 8:00PM

NOT YOUR MAMA’S TORMÉ

The Cabaret celebrates Jazz History month with the son of the legendary entertainer Mel Tormé. James Tormé brings classic jazz to a new generation, infusing older classics with contemporary influences, and haunting newer songs with his timeless throwback renditions. Having grown up hanging out with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, and more, it is no surprise that his debut jazz album Love For Sale reached #2 on iTunes Jazz and #3 on Amazon Jazz. Come find out why Jazz FM says, “If you get a chance to see James Tormé you should beg, borrow, even steal a ticket.”

Tormé brings classic jazz to a new generation, infusing older classics with contemporary influences, and

Price: $25, $35, $45, $55

LAURA BENANTI: IN CONSTANT SEARCH OF THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION

June 6 & 7, 8:00 PM

QUIRKY STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN

Celebrating the release of her brand new CD, Live at 54 Below, Tony-Award winner Laura Benanti, bares all in an evening filled with amusing stories, mesmerizing melodies and self-deprecating humor. This kooky and sexy Broadway and TV star will feature an eclectic range of music from the Great American Songbook to popular songs of today.

Price: $35, $45, $55, $65

SUSAN WERNER

June 27, 8:00PM

THE QUINTESSENTIAL STORYTELLER

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Susan Werner and her music defy category. She has cultivated a reputation as a daring and innovative songwriter who boldly endeavors to weave old with new to create altogether new genres of music. She has recorded sixteen albums with projects ranging from jazz to country, and even gospel. With her grace, wit, and pure genius in capturing the human experience in music, Werner delivers it all.

Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55

ABOUT THE CABARET

The Cabaret is a professional, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of The Cabaret is to elevate the cabaret art form; attract, develop and retain high-quality local performance talent; and provide a unique and important contribution to the city’s artistic and cultural life.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre: Nunsense

When is a greeting card more than a greeting card? When it spawns a commercially successful international sensation known as Nunsense, one of off-Broadway's most commercially successful shows. Six sequels, three spin offs and a television show followed quickly. Originating from Dan Goggin's line of nun-based humorous cards, the popular Little Sisters of Hoboken convened once again on stage at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis.

The rollicking ladies of the convent are in dire straits for quick cash. Fifty-two nuns have died from botulism caused by the poor culinary skills of an unseen cooking sister (Sister Julia, Child of God). With only 48 buried due to improper money management, the wacky spiritual ladies contrive a revue and cookbook sale to raise the remaining funds needed to bury the dearly departed...before the Board of Health slaps them with a hefty fine for storing the stiff sisters in the walk-in freezer.

Amanda Butterbaugh as Sister Amnesia

A cast of five Sisters: Rev. Mother Superior Mary Regina (Nancy E. Carroll), Hubert (Mary Robin Roth), Amnesia (Amanda Butterbaugh), Robert Ann (Lin Tucci) and Leo (Laurie Walton), revolves constantly on stage and throughout the audience prior to the first and second acts.

In some shows a particular role is created perfectly to easily become the audience favorite. In some, an actor takes a role and makes it that way. Then you have the situations such as Beef and Boards' Nunsense. Sister Amnesia is almost a shoo-in to be an audience favorite and Amanda Butterbaugh takes the opportunity and puts it over the top. The role is noted as her favorite and she has played in off-Broadway productions and in tours. Butterbaugh's comedic timing in her endearing portrayal of the sweet nun with amnesia (received from a crucifix falling on her head) will steal the hearts of absolutely everyone and is worth the ticket price alone.

Nancy E Carroll as Rev. Mother Superior

Rev. Mother Superior (most notably portrayed by Rue McClanahan) is given a crusty, but likable portrayal by Broadway veteran Carroll, who also directs the production and toured in the role for two years. Pairing just the right amount of eye-rolling with glimpses of a soft heart, Carroll creates a thoroughly enjoyable character.

Created for the stage in 1985 and television subsequently, various punchlines and one-liners referencing popular topics in the '80s are adjusted for today's current events, particularly during Sister Robert's (Tucci) impersonations.

With adult-based humor involved, parents might want to leave the little, impressionable ones at the sitter for the evening. As hilarious as a nun tripping on an illegal inhalant might be for some, others might be less comfortable with their children viewing this scene.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' Nunsense gives Catholics and non Catholics alike an evening of rowdy fun, lessons in religion and fundraising.

For tickets, show times and directions, visit BeefandBoards.com.
Images: JulieCurryPhotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

ISO: Idina Menzel

Coquettish, classy, and the girl next door all rolled into one, Idina Menzel graced the stage with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at The Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis. Noted by the excitement in the air, and the sold-out status, the night looked to be a great one.

Menzel, known for her Tony-Award winning role as Elphaba in Broadway's smash hit Wicked, a Tony-nominated performance in Rent and, more recently, her role in television's Glee, has endeared her to audiences of all genres. Appearing in a regal purple gown sans shoes gave forth the idea that although she has a glamorous occupation, she's still just one of us. The marvelous thing about that idea is...it's authentic. Menzel keeps the audience entertained, not just with her vocal range and powerful ballads, but also with her tales of growing up with all the usual angsts.

Selections included Defying Gravity, I'm Not That Girl and the nicely combined Love for Sale with Roxanne. One moment flirtatious with I Feel Smoochey, the next gentle in Look to the Rainbow from Finian's Rainbow is just one more reason Menzel is so popular. The reachable factor; yes she is on stage above you, but she is human and not stand-offish. Apologizing to the ISO Juliard-trained performers, she made the audience howl with laughter by ripping into her Glee rendition of Lady Gaga's Poker Face.

Throughout the evening the Long-Islander imitated Barbra Streisand's well-known voice, complete with the New York accent. She nailed the superstar's mannerisms and vocals during Don't Rain on My Parade and Funny Girl without losing her own style. She brought the house down with her tale of meeting idol Barbra Streisand, who promptly ignored her as only Babs can do. Eventually, after Menzel downed numerous tequila shots to get over the snub, she was finally given the nod of approval from the star for her performance.

Welcoming the only three ticket holders from the Smiley Glee Club (the entire group had performed in the lobby), onto the stage, Menzel performed back-up vocals, allowing the trio to be showcased. That, my friends, is a true lady with zero diva tendencies.

Bottom Line: Idina Menzel is enthralling in her approach with the audience, the songs, the orchestra and life. Her talent takes her from stage to television and to the silver screen. It doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that this performer will follow in the footsteps of other greats, including Streisand and Liza Minelli, who have outlasted countless others and have that one thing everyone wants: IT.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Photos: www.indianapolissymphonyorchestra.org; www.idinamenzel.com
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.