Cabaret 2000

Cabaret 2000
Saturday, November 4th

At Saturday night's "Cabaret Paradiso...and Olive That Jazz" performance, there were many "honorary Italians" among the cast and guests. Several of the 8-10 minute sets by the evening's performers featured either an Italian song or some sort of Italian reference. Dan Chouinard noted that the gym looked like the Vatican (as did Fr. George Wertin in full clerical garb!), but "the Sistine Chapel's got nothing on the disco ball!"

Among Saturday night's highlights:

Italian lovebirds Giovanni and Isabella found each other and went off happily ever after with Giovanni lip-synching his way into Isabella's heart (with some help from Bob Hanson). The lovebirds were then serenaded by the cast (dressed as waiters) and audience in a singalong.
Dennis Spears got it going with a lighthearted "Denny's/Pennies From Heaven" and a soulful medley of "It's Me O Lord" and "Old Man River".
Gwen Matthews sparkled visually and vocally as she got the crowd testifying with her rendition of "People Get Ready."
Anna Vagle's stunning voice shined on her "favorite moon song" "Moonglow" (and the versatile Anna picked up a trombone and was joined onstage by Jim tenBensel ). Fred Vagle and the band did a slow blues segue into an arrangement of "San Francisco Bay Blues" before bringing the song back to its more familiar upbeat tempo.
"St. Paul" Peterson, recently back from a 10th wedding anniversary trip to Venice, tied those memories in to pop standards "Just One of Those Things" and "My Funny Valentine" and showed his instrumental and style versatility by adding some powerful snare drum work to the first number.
Fingerpicker Billy McGlaughlin introduced himself as "the first guy to show up without a really great voice". That didn't matter to the crowd as he wowed them with his amazing guitar work played mainly on the fret boards.
Upcoming concert headliners Dare To Breathe showcased their impressive vocal pyrotechnics on the old Mama Cass hit "Dream a Little Dream" and a lighthearted Renaissance piece.
Two SJA band members stepped into the solo spotlight. Fred Vagle provided a little local folkie history on Steve Kremer, who stuck with a plane theme on audience favorites "Early Morning Rain" and " Leaving on a Jet Plane." Tall talent Lee Vague showcased some tasty lead guitar licks on the Phil Collins tune "I Wish It Would Rain Down."
"Bohemian Rhapsody" concert stars Mark Stillman, Jim Price and Sima Shumlovsky took it Italian this evening, with Mark and Jim playing an Italian medley (including the Godfather theme, "Speak Softly Love") and Sima soloing on the standard "Coma Prima". Jim Price brought down the house with his red-hot fiddle work on "Black Mountain Rag".
Pat Frederick encored his powerful version of "What's Going On" which he did a couple of weeks back at an SJA Sunday Mass, this time joined by Dennis Spears alternating verses.
We were treated to some hot salsa dancing by Stephanie Vague and Doug Tomkins.
Mime Michael Hennessey brought some talented audience members into the act during a "duel of love" and fishing routine.
Jim tenBensel mixed some admittedly corny (but entertaining!) jokes with some fine trombone soloing on "Autumn Leaves."
The amazing Robert Robinson "gave us some church", reminding us in song that today is always a good day and helping to keep our trials in perspective.
Other SJA regulars provided some of the most compelling performances of the evening. Deb Harley's sultry voice held the crowd's attention with a passionate cover of a Tuck and Patti love song, and later backed up the multi-talented Rachel Kroog as she performed one of her many strong original compositions.
Prudence Johnson and Gary Rue debuted a new song, "Nothing But Time", showed off tight harmonies in paying a one word vocal tribute to their granddaughter Allie, and wrapped up their set with Pru treating us to an "Italian Mambo."

And the winner is...

At the end, we were promised a couple of songs by modern Italian artists. One being Frankie Valli, with the cast joining in on "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". We were then told we would be treated to another Italian love song by star tenor Bob Hanson. A Pavarotti solo, perhaps?

Writer, speaker, consultant, administrative professional, Wendy Vickers, has been an active supporter and encourager of local musicians in the Twin Cities music community for several years. Her online newsletter on local coffeehouse performers and other music-related activities can be found on her website at www.wendyv.com.

Nope. Turned out to be a standard 60's rocker by Felix Cavaliere of Rascals fame--"Good Lovin'". Cast and audience joined in on "Arrivederci Roma" and "Funiculi, Funicula" to wrap up a long but memorable evening.

Wendy Vickers has written an article on the history and making of Cabaret. Check it out!!

...also Friday's Cabaret

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Molly Ryan is a full-blooded Mexican married to a full-blooded Irishman. They have 2 grown children, Kelly and Shannon. Molly has been attending SJA since 1994 and has taught Sunday School in addition to other volunteering. Bob Brennan has been a member of SJA for about eight years. Took a "sabatical" from the Catholic church for many years before finding St Joan's. He and his wife, Patty, are members of the choir and went to Rome last year as a part of the Archdiocese Rome Choir. They sang in the Vatican during the first ecumenical service with Lutherans. He is enjoying being a photographer for the website.



Molly Ryan is a full-blooded Mexican married to a full-blooded Irishman. They have 2 grown children, Kelly and Shannon. Molly has been attending SJA since 1994 and has taught Sunday School in addition to other volunteering.	Bob Brennan has been a member of SJA for about eight years. Took a "sabatical" from the Catholic church for many years before finding St Joan's. He and his wife, Patty, are members of the choir and went to Rome last year as a part of the Archdiocese Rome Choir. They sang in the Vatican during the first ecumenical service with Lutherans. He is enjoying being a photographer for the website.