Cabaret 2002 Friday, October 25th

St. Joan of Arc's Magical Mystery Cabaret 2002 kicked off the first of two concerts, Friday October 25; though clouded with an overwhelming sense of loss due to the untimely tragic death just earlier that day of Senator Paul Wellstone. Many concertgoers, appearing weary from shock and grief, found themselves attending for serious need of relief. And this sold-out event, SJA's chief annual fund-raiser, did not disappoint.

Bright rainbow colored lights covered by bizarre fan blown tube-like sheets of clear plastic greeted the public in the entry way and along the basketball hoops of the SJA gymnasium. A clear plastic backdrop with the same lights covered the stage as well. Shiny star-shaped mylar balloons bunched in hugely spinning clusters hung next to bold primary colored ones. Holy comets and stars, what's this all about? Why, it's a tribute to the 1960s; the Cabaret celebrated Beatles era songs near and dear to the revolutionary hearts of St. Joan's.

Co-Producer/Pianist Dan Chouinard, looking mighty dapper in a ruffled tuxedo shirt and burgundy velvet jacket, reverently started the event by inviting the audience to join him in humming along to the melody of "Has Anyone Seen," an apt tribute to our dearly departed Senator. Our music maestro predicted a fair warning about the concert's staggering length of four and a half hours, by commenting that it's "too big for its bell-bottom britches." Just before the finale, providing the biggest laugh of the night, Chouinard sang "What would you do if I sang until Two."

The opening number ignited with an audio track highlighting Neil Armstrong's first man on the moon speech; then the evening's entire lineup of performers appeared amongst the balloon festooned atmosphere accompanying Mary Jane Alm for a cover of the Fifth Dimensions' "Up, Up and Away." Furthering the balloon theme, Gwen Matthews and Bruce Henry performed "Higher and Higher." However, lacking substance with such lightweight fare, the Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" would've been a meatier choice for the ensemble opener.

Matthews delved into some skillful scatting and worked up some heavenly sexed-up harmony on a vocal duet with Boyd Lee and guitarist Joe Cruz with The Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do." With Chouinard on piano, she did justice with her "belly rubbing song," Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman."

"Gonna sing the saddest love song ever written," Mary Jane Alm wisely eschewed schmaltz in favor of directness with the Skeeter Davis hit "(Don't Say No It's) The End of the World" aided nicely with guitar and vocal backup by Gary Rue. They joined Mary's husband Pat Frederick for a fun rendition of the Beatles' "On Our Way Home." Frederick insisted his wife remain nearby while serenading her with Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love," an audience favorite sing-a-long.

Guitarist-singer Billy McLaughlin, looking "1960's interesting" in a matching short tan vest and tall boots, tentatively performed the Beatles' "Our Love Will Never Die." Too often, he pulled away from the microphone, damaging the audible effectiveness of his performance. Fairing much better by staying closer to the mic, he gleefully teased with the playful lyrics of the "Theme from Harold and Maude."

Co-Producer and SJA Music Director Anna Vagle got acquainted with her deepest lower vocal range with a smoldering take of Bobbie Gentry's classic "Ode to Billy Joe" aided by terrific fiddle work with Frederick and harmonica from Bruce Kurnow. Carin Vagle strongly contributed the vocal part of a sumptuous family collaboration: Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair," with her parents, Anna and Fred, providing recorder and guitar parts respectively.

Procol Harem's 1960s anthem "Whiter Shade of Pale," with that distinctive 1960s organ sound, so effectively replicated by Chouinard, received a raw and emotional vocal reading from Bruce Kurnow. What really impressed was Kurnow's extraordinary harmonica playing which truly made this song his own. He showed this skill off to full advantage with a cover of John Mayall's familiar instrumental "Room to Move," a performance the audience met with wild approval.

Bruce Henry worked the crowd with a medley of 1960s dance crazes: "The Twist," "Cook Jerk" and "Wipe Out" (a shining moment for drummer Shane Speltz). Slowing things down, Henry, using his gorgeous trademark falsetto, easily won the audience over with the Elvis Presley staple "Can't Help Falling In Love With You."

One of the finest mandolin and fiddle players in acoustic music, Peter Ostroushko, needing some assistance with equipment, took a little time getting ready. Quipped Chouinard, "Sorry Peter, I can't move around very well in all these ruffles." Ostroushko could only recall vague memories of the 1960s but in a Hank William's style voice hysterically parodied a few verses from The Doors "Light My Fire." Singing with passion and playing wonderful guitar, he performed a gripping rendition of "Plain of Grief." With lyrics like "Made us warrior kings and marched us off to war," and "Back to the plain of grief, why was I sent into this world to wonder alone, alone, alone," his vocals wept for understanding in the face of bewilderment. Switching to mandolin, he talked about doing a benefit for the Wellstone campaign. Dedicating his next song to our deceased Senator, Ostroushko said this composition is about "a virtual place that we go when we need to find ourselves." With impeccable accompaniment by Chouinard on accordion, Ostroushko played "Heart of the Heartland," an emotionally fitting tribute and title to such a beloved man. A thunderous tear filled response came from the audience.

Neal and Leandra, both on guitar, claimed they were "four or five" at the time The Everly Brothers "All I Have to Do Is Dream" first came out. Winning the audience with their rockabilly sing-a-long, they wore decidedly un-sixties out fits - black jackets, white shirts and blue jeans. The couple recalled a road story traveling with their three year old daughter Madeline. Exhausted, the little one complained "I am so tired," which caused guilt for Leandra until her daughter elaborated "of your music." As certainly Madeline would tell it, the two(three) have been extensively on the road and with their nifty take of "I've Been Everywhere," which recounts about 100 different places, they indeed proved it.

Deb Harley thought she "was gonna try and go bra-less like in the 60s but with our current trends," she reconsidered. Her gloriously smooth alto voice is both seductive and commanding. Choosing to perform the Beatles "Across the Universe," the affable singer revealed that the mystical lyrics "Jai Guru, Dev a Om" translate to "Calling the divine." Accompanied with vocal harmony by Carin Vagle, their terrific performance went down like a fine glass of chardonnay.

Rachel Kroog, looking ever so fabulous, in a campy over-size white fake fur jacket, white go-go boots and black & white mini-skirt was a riot imitating Mae West: "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted" and "Had a little tiff with the abominable snowman. Guess who won?" Of course, her killer-bod appearance channeled Nancy Sinatra. Laura Harley (Deb's daughter) joined Kroog in recreating those go-go moves from the video "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" while Kroog nailed the singing. She threw in a little of the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" [who wouldn't?] finishing with some hula hoop action. Gotta love her!

Cyril Paul energetically spread some good times with his uplifting "Buffalo Soldier," a tune from Trinidad. Wearing "dreads like a Rusta," sunglasses and pink carnation pants while bustling in time to reggae beats, he was an inspiration to listen to as well as watch. And closing the first act, which alone had a running time of two hours 15 minutes, Lee Vague tackled Elvis Presley's "Burnin' Love" with a few mean guitar licks while Jim tenBensel provided some solid trumpet work.

Michael Hennessey opened the second act with his engaging mime antics involving audience members. tenBensel followed with his signature Louis B. Armstrong standard "What a Wonderful World," a tune which beckons back to 1961.

When you ask Gospel sensation Robert Robinson(right) to perform, you get a guarantee of a little church and a whole lot of heart. "Oh Happy Day" delivered much joy and his treatment of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," even with lyrics in hand, acclimatized sweaty responses of approval. Particularly empowering was his improvising "I don't even know what this song means, [but] when friends walk away, [God] will be your bridge."

SJA musician/drummer Shane Speltz admirably tried his hand at singing a duet with his girl friend Kathy Perkins, a true singing sensation. Both looked fetching in Paisley funk while covering "When a Man Loves a Woman," a tune that shows off a soulful belt from Perkins and an irresistible falsetto from Speltz. Rachel Kroog(right) had such a blast taking over Speltz's drumming that she mocked a reluctance to give up the sticks. Bob Hanson, never slipping out of character, had fun with The Troggs' "Wild Thing" playing a stoned out hippie. Anna Vagle's recorder solo authenticated that 1960s sound riotously. And for a little more Bacharach, Nancy Stockhaus worked the crowd with "I Say a Little Prayer For You."

After everyone was cajoled into singing "Happy Birthday" to SJA musician Steve Kremer, he responded with a fine performance of Paul Simon's 1969 hallmark "The Boxer."

Pulling props from a Cub Foods cardboard box, then playing his accordion, gifted entertainer Mark Stillman, came up with a menagerie of cut-ups: Lawrence Schmaltz doing the instrumental "Calcutta," Thrifty McDonald from Edinborough having a laugh with "Bloody Banks Loch Lohman," Tennessee Ernie Shlepper exclaiming "How Much Is That Pickle in the Window?," Erling Smedvig endorsing the wonders of fish oil, Svet Larson and his singing Lutefisk [you have to ask?], and least we forget, Deep Squeeze Purple keeping it in the 1960s with "Smoke on the Water." Introducing Dan Chouinard as Myren Floorman, the two then had "a one and a two and you know what to do" showdown with their accordions. Audience reaction? Two ladies took to the side of the stage and mimicked chickens.

Russian singer Sima Shumilovsky joined Stillman for a lovely Russian love song that she translated only with "If you open your heart to love, you will understand." This effervescent performer then offered the Ukrainian song "The Song Will Always Be With Us" accompanied by Chouinard on accordion. Sweetly comical, she apologized for not singing an American selection and for not wearing 1960s clothing, explaining that you don't want to see what we wore in Russia during that time. With her laid-back self-deprecating style though, one can only imagine what she would have done with Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit."

Boyd Lee, with his silvery mane and charming smile, makes even 1960's clothes look classy. With his soulful singing, he joined Joe Cruz on guitar, offering some mighty fine playing with the Beatles' "The Things We Said Today" and for "Sunshine", Cruz displayed some virtuoso mandolin playing as well. T. Mychael Rambo had a funky old time covering Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life," which showcased, once again, Bruce Kurnow's superb harmonica skills and with Chouinard on piano, the two glistened with "A Song For You."

Gary Rue, with the fiery gusto of an impassioned politician, worked the audience into spelling out the name "PAUL." For our deceased Senator, he and his wife Prudence Johnson recalled recording a campaign song for Wellstone years ago. Though never used, over 70 people came together to sing on the recording. Performing that composition "We Can Do Better," the two have never sounded so funky and full of conviction. Lyrics like "What should be done, can be done" embody the meaning behind what made Wellstone tick. This couple have paid profound respects and a most fitting tribute to the tragic passing of a truly brilliant leader.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

For the finale of this Magical Mystery Marathon, the entire lineup came together performing the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends." Whew, what an evening. Not much mystery, but ah, what magic!

Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.		Peg LaSota comes from a photography background. She now works in the digital world, computer instruction, and with "videography" and the restoration of family films. She is enthusiastic about capturing family memories and preserving them digitally. Along with that, her time is spent with her family and her love for learning Spanish, piano, recorder.....and of course singing with the choir!