BWW Reviews: A VALENTINE CABARET presented by Dramatic License Productions

Dramatic License Productions presented a lovely Valentine cabaret this past weekend (February 10-12) in their space at Artopolis in Chesterfield Mall. Classics from a number of generations on the subject of love and it's foibles mixEd Gracefully in a sweetly simple production that showcased four talented singers, while perhaps, sparking a bit of romance among it's attending audience.

Ken Haller, Kay Love, Khnemu Menu-Ra and Marti Signaigo delivered delightful renditions from a number of famous composers, mixing the pop world with standards and Broadway tunes to appreciable effect. Haller provided the comic relief, especially during the Queen song, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, but also in a a couple of duets, including “Sue Me” from Guys and Dolls. Love displayed her talent with a number of songs, but made an especially good impression with “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “I Will Always Love You”.

Khenmu Menu-Ra was sleek and slick throughout, getting the audience in the mood early with “Something's Coming” (West Side Story), but also sexing them up with a run through Frankie Valli's “Can't Take My Eyes Off You”, before giving them a plaintive and tender “Yesterday” (Lennon-McCartney). Signaigo was a little rigid, but let her lovely soprano do her work for her, impressing with “I Could Have Danced All Night”, before becoming a bit more playful during “Bosom Buddies”, which also featured Love.

Overall this was a pleasant blend of eras and melodies, achieving what it set out to do thanks to the stellar work of Ron Gibbs, who conceived, directed and staged the performance. Martin Fox contributed nicely with his delicate and skillful work on piano.