A good mix of show tunes featured in ‘Broadway Cabaret’

Joe Delaney

Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 | 9:53 a.m.

"Broadway Cabaret," currently in the intimate 150-seat San Remo showroom, offers a well-chosen selection of songs from nine top Broadway musicals and one that was a near-miss, performed by an attractive and multi-talented sextet -- three males and three females -- backed by three excellent musicians, led by Brian Tidwell. The show opened under another title at the Debbie Reynolds Hotel. It did well there and deserves to do even better here.

The room was full and the audience both receptive and appreciative throughout. The show opens with "Wilkomen" from "Cabaret." Mark Moschello is a standout as the master of ceremonies and is joined by the full ensemble, then shares the honors on "Money, Money" with Satomi Hoffman. JoLynn Scott, Todd White and Russ Thomas capture the old-time feel of the title song from "42nd Street."

"Chess" was the one near-miss, but Kathryn Arianoff scores a hit with the ballad, "Heaven Help My Heart." All six performers make the most of "Grease Lightnin'," "Freddie My Love" and "Hand Jive" from "Grease." "Evita" is represented with three selections, omitting "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," again featuring the entire ensemble.

"Sugar Babies" is represented with "Available" and the three males do a hot "Steam Heat" from "Pajama Game." "Le Jazz Hot" from "Victor, Victoria" is equally warm. Russ Thomas deserves an extra mention for his rendition of "Old Man River" from "Showboat." "A Chorus Line" is a strong closer with "What I Did For Love" and a full cast finale on "One."

Las Vegans can enjoy a two-for-one purchase price during October, making it one of the city's best buys. The regular tab is reasonable. Whatever your budget constraints, "Broadway Cabaret" is worth seeing; actually worth seeing more than once. You do get one free drink plus a ticket for another free drink at any of the bars after the show. See it.

JOE DELANEY is a Sun entertainment critic.