Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Review - For a Good Time Call . . . (The Duplex Cabaret Theatre)

Stage Buzz Review by Byrne Harrison

One’s a cute blonde with a killer smile. The other’s a tall, sultry redhead. Both have voices that are equally at home belting or crooning. And they sure know how to work a crowd.
Even though For a Good Time Call . . . marks the cabaret debut of its stars, Melissa Driscol and Hannah Ingram, that’s not to say that the girls are inexperienced. Both are proud members of the USO World Show Troupe, “The Liberty Belles,” and have performed for military audiences all over the country. They also have a solid background in musical theatre, having performed in shows from My Fair Lady to Beauty and the Beast.

The eclectic mix of songs in For a Good Time Call . . . nicely shows off Driscol and Ingram’s talents. Their versions of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Billy-A-Dick” and Cole Porter’s “Friendship” show that they can swing and jive with the best of them. They demonstrate a similar talent for introspection with Ingram’s quiet and contemplative “As Long As I Can Dream,” by their accompanist, Robby Stamper, and Driscoll’s heartbreaking take on “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt.

But where Driscol and Ingram really shine is in their comic numbers. In Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler’s “Nothing I Wouldn’t Do,” the ladies are being wooed by the same man and are willing to go to hilarious extremes to outdo each other. Ingram sings of her attraction to the follicly-challenged in “I Want Them . . . ” (also by Goldrich and Heisler) and does it so well that no doubt several men in the audience thought of heading to a barber. Driscol follows up with Julie Brown’s “‘Cause I’m a Blond,” a tribute to the girl who knows all the boys want her and all the girls want to be her. Their final comic duet is the uproarious “Making Love Alone” by Marilyn Miller and Cheryl Hardwick. Suffice it to say, it’s about exactly what you think it’s about.

Driscol and Ingram promise a good time and they certainly deliver in this enjoyable show.

Performed by Melissa Driscol and Hannah Ingram

The Duplex Cabaret Theatre
Mondays, April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 8 at 9:30 pm

Fundraiser - Ten Grand Productions

TEN GRAND PRODUCTIONS
INVITES ALL TO
A KARAOKE KARNIVAL!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
9 pm – 1 am
Please join Ten Grand’s growing community at this exciting fundraiser for our upcoming production of Stopping to Listen, hosted by Scopa on Saturday, April 22, 2006.

Whether you are a Die-Hard Karaoke Competitor, or an Average Joe who sings in the shower (when your roommate isn’t listening), we’ve made this night all about you!

Beginning at 9pm, the Karaoke Karnival invites anyone who hates competing to sing what they will until 10pm.

The Karaoke Karnival’s contest portion kicks off at 10pm for a no-holds-barred sing-off to find the best of the best. We will only have 25 Spots available for the competition. Arrive early to reserve your place!
The winner is based on Audience Participation, so make sure you bring
your friends and fans with you.
During the evening, sign up to sing – after the contest we invite
anyone who dares to get up and let loose during another free-for-all until 1 am!

The Karaoke Karnival will be held at Scopa, located at 79 Madison Avenue (at East 28th Street). Scopa is a short, convenient walk from the 28th Street stops on the 6, and N/R subway lines.
Tickets are $8 in advance via our website (strongly recommended) and $10 at the door (cash only).
For tickets and contest details, please call (212) 696-7344 or visit www.tengrandburger.com for more information.