Kat's Cabaret: Lolita's Lounge, Calgary

The Tuesday Morning "Before Noon" Entertainment Review:

Kat's Cabaret

Lolita's Lounge, Calgary

With Host Katrina Reynolds - featuring

Troy Adams, Tafari Anthony, Aurianna Angelique, Andrew Broderick, Starr Domingue, Rob James, Cavelle-Nell Romeo, Jeremiah Sparks

Katrina Reynolds gets by with a little help from her friends. It doesn't hurt that those friends are some of the hottest up-and-comers you are likely to hear perform live on stage.

For her 6th installment of Kat's Cabaret, Reynolds gathered these talented vocalists from the cast of Stage West Calgary's "Love Train The Soul Of Motown", for a showcase of group and solo performances of soul, Motown, and amazing originals that sounded every bit as good as the cover songs last night. Which incidentally ranged from selections out of Porgy & Bess, straight on through to Cee-Lo Green, playing to each individual's strengths and taste. In this intimate venue, with the flawless musicians from the very same Stage West show backing them up, it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that ranks right up there with most anything I have ever seen...which is lots!

Having seen the show these folks are all starring in right now, this was an eye-opener, getting a chance to hear selections close to their own hearts, and showcasing capabilities otherwise limited by direction and protocols of fitting a show's format. In other words, the theme was sit back, relax, and we are going to wow you. 

Indeed...

Just a few highlights:

* John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", filtered via Donny Hathaway.

* The blend of humour and skill-inflected covering of "What A Wonderful World"

* The spontaneous applause after the opening line of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" - let alone the bring-down-the-house performance of the rest of the song...

* The gospel-inspired "I Can See Clearly Now" that closed a second half that was preceeded by almost a dare to out-do each performer that went before the next...

* The originals, all exceptional and well-recieved, a clear indication of how gifted these artists are.

I have so many other high-water marks, like the newer ballad that Andrew Broderick performed, the name of which escapes me at the moment - but every single member of this ensemble dazzled in this cabaret - evidenced by the standing ovations during virtually each song in the final set.

If you happen to see ANY of the names listed at the top of this review in a show near you, do not hesitate to pick up tickets pronto.

And if you happen to see Kat's Cabaret advertised within your city limits, don't be among the waiting list that missed out on this sold out showcase. BroadwayWorld.com wrote "I Want More".

Me too...

Later!