Review: Beth Leavel Charms in KICKING AND SCREAMING at Austin Cabaret Theatre

Beth Leavel, Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Beatrice Stockwell in The Drowsy Chaperone, recently brought her cabaret show, KICKING AND SCREAMING, to the Sterling Events Center, as part of their 17th season. Ms. Leavel charmed the audience for 90 minutes with stories of her life in the theatre and sang songs that she has become famous for, along with some musical surprises that were an absolute delight.

She, of course, performed her signature song "As We Stumble Along" from The Drowsy Chaperone, but also gave us the chance to hear the song "Home" from a musical that never made it to Broadway called Minsky's (based on one of my favorite films, The Night They Raided Minsky's), as well as songs she loves but wouldn't have the opportunity to sing on stage. Ms. Leavel's voice switches from Broadway belt to chanteuse with amazing ease and her self-deprecating humor was a real treat to witness. And, to top it all off, she paid homage to Austin by drinking from her Torchy's Tacos cup while complaining about SXSW traffic like a true Austinite.

Austin Cabaret Theatre, founded in 2001 by Stuart Moulton, is one of Austin's best kept secrets. For 17 years, he has been bringing to town the type of entertainment one can usually only find in New York venues like 54 Below, Don't Tell Mama and The Cafe Carlyle. These performances are always one night only and sparkle with wit, style, talent and showmanship. Currently, Austin Cabaret Theatre has their cabaret shows at the Sterling Events Center, an acoustically perfect room full of patterned white silk curtains and beautiful modern crystal chandeliers.

The final show of their 17th season is DIVALICIOUS and stars Ann Hampton Callaway, Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman. Performance is May 10th @ 8:30 PM.

Austin Cabaret Theatre is about to open their 18th season, entitled "Finally Legal", and have the following upcoming cabaret performances scheduled for their season:

GUNHILD CARLING - Sept. 27, 2018
Lesli Margherita: Rule Your Kingdom - Oct. 25, 2018
CRYSTAL STARK: Great Ladies of Song - Jan. 17, 2019
Andrew Dawson: Lunar Landing & Spirit of the Ring - Feb. 7, 2019 (Season Ticket Holders Only)
NICOLE ZURAITIS: Generations of Her - Mar. 21, 2019
Fred Barton: Miss Gulch Returns - May 16, 2019

Season Tickets are $199, which includes all six shows and dinner for the first show of the season. Dinner for other shows can always be arranged.

The Sterling Events Center is located at 6134 US 290 Frontage Road, Austin, TX 78723

For more information or to make reservations and purchase season tickets:
E-mail stuart@stuartmoulton.com or call 512-289-2287
Website: austincabaret.org