Reviews
Audiences feast on ‘CabaretFest!’
By Lyn Legendre
Special to The Daily News
Monday, March 26, 2001
If “life is a cabaret, old chum,” then, thanks to John O’Neil’s AtLast! Productions, Newburyport was full of life this past weekend.
By actual definition, a cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment consisting of skits, songs, improvisations and the like, frequently accompanied by food and drink. In other words, a cabaret is a smorgasbord of treats, an extensive array of artistic and culinary goodies meant to satisfy one’s appetite for the same….
Amanda Green, the daughter of famed lyricist Adolph Green, was a part of Sunday’s Songwriters’ Workshop, held at the Institution for Savings. This sedate-sounding offering proved to be an exceptional and truly exciting event. After all, how often does one get to sit with 30 or so multi-talented composers, musicians, and singers and view the dynamic process of bringing a song to life?
John O’Neil opened the workshop by noting that 63 songs were submitted by 18 composers and that the jury had looked for three elements in selecting songs for presentation: momentum, point of view and “meat.” He went on to play the keyboard and sometimes sing along with the three individual cabaret singers who had mastered the numbers.
The composers of the three featured songs were all present at the workshop and got to receive feedback on their creations as well as hear their songs sung in at least two different manners.
Winfield Clark’s “Opposable Thumbs,” sung by David Getman, recounted the rollicking adventures of a ravenous raccoon who greedily dined on the garbage can-variety of roasted chicken, orange peel, and camembert. The title of the song was discussed, as was the meter, but however it ends up, the song was certainly clever.
So too was “How To Hold Your Man.” By Shari Ajemian, of Arlington, and Sarah Newcomb, of Brookline, sung by Bobbi Carrey. And although the singers’ names were mentioned only once, their interpretations were professional and engaging.
How would the song work from a different point of view? Would a bridge help hold the piece together? And could that word “barbecue” be softened when Carrey sang the song in a more reminiscent, pensive tone? Such were the questions of the hour. And the camaraderie, creativity and cooperation in evidence among these composers and chanteuses was, in itself, completely captivating.
…All in all, the whole, impressive O’Neil network brought new talent and new audiences to Newburyport, which sounds like the way to pave a new theatrical tradition in town.
Like a song with momentum, point of view, and meaty substance, this “CabaretFest!” had a solid beginning, a filling middle, and a satisfying end. Those who were in attendance are hoping to go back for second servings next year.