BWW Reviews: Dennis McNeil in Great Cabaret Debut @ Sterling's

On Sunday May 22 Irish tenor Dennis McNeil made a spectacular debut into the world of cabaret @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's. A former opera singer, McNeil has sung for Presidents and in concert venues, including stadiums, around the world, but never in an intimate setting. With the unfailing confidence that marks a true Irishman and with just enough humility to ingratiate himself, McNeil held his audience spellbound with his magnificent vocal range, wide variety of selections and warm anecdotes about his association with such luminaries as composer Sammy Cahn and musician Lalo Schifrin. Backed by stellar pianist Ed Martel as musical director and Bob Marino on drums and Bill Dixon on bass, whom he affectionately referred to as the Killer Bs, McNeil was a huge success in his show entitled Me and My Big Mouth, under the guidance of fine consulting director Joe Giamalva.

Highlights of the 85-minute set included Broadway pop such as "This Is the Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde, "I Talk to the Trees" from Paint Your Wagon and Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Love Changes Everything". Movie hit tunes included: "When You Wish Upon a Star", a wonderful Sammy Cahn medley with "Come Fly With Me", "It's Magic" and "Teach Me Tonight", Burt Bacharach's "Alfie" and "A House Is Not a Home" and as encore "Over the Rainbow". There was also a terrific Schifrin arrangement of "Besame Mucho", "Moondance" and of course a little from the world of opera "La Donna e Mobile" and "Con Te Partiro?" He facetiously put the ever popular "That's Amore", written by Joe Marino, drummer Bob Marino's grandfather next to "La Donna e Mobile" calling it its English translation. This proved a big crowd pleaser. There was also a fun tribute to his three daughters "House at Pooh Corner" about Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh.

Another of McNeil's great assets as an entertainer is his ability to appear relaxed and to convey his sense of friendship to all those in his presence, sort of like iconic showman Bing Crosby, who, like McNeil, liked to play golf and sometimes end a song with a characteristic and charismatic simulated golf swing. McNeil's whole demeanor in performance could serve as a textbook for young fledgling cabaret singers, who try to impress with their vocal range instead of just being themselves.

Opera singers are told that a side trip into singing Broadway and pop standards is an unsound venture and label it "career suicide". McNeil has no worries. Even if he were still doing the opera route, he would have a large enough fan base to continue to perform in both worlds. He is a fabulous singer and entertainer, and let's hope this is the beginning of many, many supper club appearances. His desire to spread love and joy to new audiences is coming true.