BWW Reviews: Donna Migliaccio Celebrates RANDOMOSITY at Signature Theatre

Always funny, always bold and always enjoyable, Donna Migliaccio closes Signature's 2014-15 cabaret season with a witty and captivating performance celebrating the random events that led her to select the evening's playlist. Whereas most cabaret acts have a theme, be it a composer, an emotion, a season etc., Randomosity takes that notion and completely abandons it.

Migliaccio introduced the evening with a riff on the Johnny Mercer hit "Personality" changing it to "randomosity." The evening's set list was selected from a plethora of sources including: Facebook posts from her friends, previous roles, songs she heard in a Tennessee drug store (I kid you not) and prompts from audience questions.

The informal format always kept you guessing and excited about what was next. Randomosity allowed Migliaccio to show off her great range, invite the audience into her life and reminiscence about the very theatre she co-founded, Signature. For avid DC theater regulars the backstage stories were delightful.

Migliaccio has an impeccable gift for timing and humor which was evident in the Q&A session with the audience. Postcards line the tables of Signature's casual Shen space. The audience was encouraged to ask Migliaccio anything, and appropriately enough, the most random questions led to the best stories. The funniest involved a prop gun mishap setting her purse on fire while she was onstage with Sherri Edelen in Assassins.

Several of the evening's songs were inspired by her family. Migliaccio spoke often about her 94 year old mother who recently performed "Feed the Birds" at a local theatre. So as a tribute to her, Migliaccio sang the Mary Poppins anthem as well, making it a sweet moment.

We also got to see Migliaccio's contemporary side with performances of Norah Jones' "Man of the Hour" and Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home To Me." The later of the two was sung as a tribute to her husband and the stability he's provided over their 22-year marriage.

Most know Migliaccio strictly from musical theater, and it was a thrill to see her interpretation of contemporary pop music. Equally rewarding was getting the chance to become better acquainted with one of DC's greatest talents. Her open and honest approach to discussing everything and anything enthralled the audience.

Throughout the evening, she was accompanied by the talented Elisa Rosman at the piano. In addition to theatre, we also learned of Migliaccio's passion for writing, and she gave the audience a sampling of her fantasy novel Kinglet. While describing the arduous process of shopping the novel to publishers, she descended into a comical performance of "Screw Loose" from Cry Baby.

If there was one constant in the evening, it was Stephen Sondheim. Audiences were treated to a hilarious rendition of "I Never Do Anything Twice" with emphasis on Sondheim's lyrical double entendre. She also recreated one of hers and Signature's earliest successes with a wistful "By the Sea" from Sweeney Todd. For her encore, she triumphed with "I'm Still Here" from Follies celebrating her career and Signature's success.

It not only seems appropriate, but celebratory, that Migliaccio should be the finale. Who better to close Signature's cabaret series with this year than an artist who was so instrumental in the theatre's founding?

Runtime is 75 minutes with no intermission

Photo: Donna Migliaccio. Credit: Signature Theatre.

Donna Migliaccio: Randomosity plays thru May 23rd at Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA. For tickets, call (703) 820-9771 or purchase them online.

To post a comment, you must register and login.