Katherine Malak Sings Up a Storm @ Sterling's

On Sunday August 22, petite dynamo Katherine Malak performed her cabaret Wishlist @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's to thundering ovations. Malak, who gives new meaning to the word dynamic, belted out a bevy of show tunes and quaint songs about the pangs of auditioning and being an actress.

Wishlist comprised all the people this New Yorker has met and worked with during her brief time in LA. She wished them, via a part in her show, a share in her success... like guest stars Kyle Nado, Lisa Marinacci, and Cloie Taylor, and great backup musicians Brent Crayon on piano, Emiliano Almeida on percussion and Michael Donahue on guitar.

Highlights of the fast-moving electric set included: "Raise the Roof" - which really set the tone for the entire evening, a fabulous "Cry Me a River", where she intoned her young dreams of being a showgirl a la Jessica Rabbitt, and a dramatic little three act play about a lover "I'm Not Waiting". There was a gorgeous duet with Nado "All the Wasting Time" from Parade, and an eclectic dueling duet with Marinacci about two friends bitching "Casting Call for a Best Friend": very fun stuff! Taylor did a terrif "Take Me or Leave Me" in duet with Malak and then went wonderfully solo on another Jason Robert Brown song, "Stars and the Moon". Malak also soared with her own wild version of "Crazy" made so famous by Patsy Cline. There was also a great rendition of "Can't Help Loving That Man" and as upbeat finale, the riveting "Just Around the Bend".

Audiences will never tire of Katherine Malak. How could they with her boundless energy and bold, risk-taking delivery? She is an amazing singer and actress that rocks 150%. No encores for this gal; she left us begging for more!

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