Showstoppers 9 certainly lived up to its name last Sunday, when 230 people squeezed into St. Andrew’s Anglican Church for the annual fundraiser for Los Cantantes del Lago.
Welcoming the audience, Los Cantantes Director, Timothy G. Ruff Welch introduced the emcee, “Well-known actor, charity worker and maker of the most wicked Margueritas” Ken Yakiwchuk. He had clearly done a lot of research for this role and provided many interesting facts throughout the evening, some of which are included here.
First up was 12-year-old boy soprano Georg Esteban Ramirez Oetling. Totally self-assured, he gave an impressive rendition of the Toy Story favorite, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” written by Randy Newman. Although the song is better known in Spanish as “Yo Soy Tu Amigo Fiel,” Oetling sang in clear, unaccented English with appropriate actions and facial expressions. Thoroughly impressed the audience approval was loud and long.
Barbara Pruitt’s version of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx’s “Special,” as Lucy the Slut from Avenue Q, changed the tone completely. True to the storyline, her act included a wayward glove puppet who, after it had stroked her chest for the third time, was informed, “Yes, they’re real!” With laughter throughout, her clever performance was enjoyed by all.
Broadway veteran John Jones had just celebrated his 85th birthday, although no-one would have guessed given his impressively powerful voice and moving delivery of Lerner and Loewe’s “From this Day On” from Brigadoon.
Jayme Littlejohn followed with the cheeky Rodgers and Hart comedy song “Queen Elizabeth,” from the Garrick Gaieties of 1926. A consummate actress, her straight-laced, straight-faced delivery made the lyrics seem even funnier.
Doris Helmus and Ann Price’s harmonies during the comedic “Marry the Man Today” by Frank Loesser, from Guys and Dolls, were excellent.
Maltby and Shire’s “Life Story,” from Closer than Ever is tricky, but Judy Hendrick’s fast and clear delivery was a delight, keeping pace with the unusual piano backing provided by Welch, who accompanied all the acts.
Former Muscovite, Olga Kaplounenko sang Shpalikov and Petrov’s “Я шагаю по Москве” (I am Walking Through Moscow) in Russian. Her exquisite voice and delightful delivery deserved the deafening applause. So too did Patteye Simpson who did a beautiful job on Zippel and Coleman’s “With Every Breath I Take” from City of Angels.
Yakiwchuk couldn’t resist witty quotes from Monty Python, as he introduced the Act I closer. Written by Du Prez, Idle and Innes for Spamalot, it was sung by Amaranta Santos as the Lady of the Lake who, with hysterical facial expressions and increasing petulance demanded to know “Whatever Happened to My Part?” It was so funny it hurt.
The emcee prefaced Act II with a “thank you” to Littlejohn for all her hard work on the show and especially for her “meritorious work” drama coaching each of the performers.
William Finn’s “I Speak Six Languages” from the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee had the most singers on a Showstoppers stage ever. Hendrick sang the narration, with Price, Santos, Janet Beatty, Gale Bildfell, Kate Gunn, Leal Murillo, Eric Leal Murillo, Solange Neri, Belva Velazquez and Cecilia Yael as the chorus, dressed as school kids. Misbehaving behind Hendrick’s back, the audience was in stitches at their antics.
Next, Teresa Jasper’s emotive version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Reid and Shamblin, accompanied by Rick Jasper on saxophone, was goose-bump material of the best kind. They were followed by 17-year-old Hugo Ramos with Besoyan’s “You’re the Fairest Flower” from Little Mary Sunshine. His wonderful voice and deadpan face which belied dramatic gestures and poses, brought the house down – again!
Lees and Jobim’s Brazilian bossa nova “Corcovado” (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) was simply beautiful, sung in English by Karen Procter, accompanied by guitarist José Eduardo García Espinoza and Mike Leisenback on flute.
Hendrick and Simpson were hilarious as Elphaba and Galinda from Wicked. Singing “What is This Feeling” by Schwartz, their hatred and spite were only outshone by the exquisite harmonies and timing. Next, Doris Helmus’ clear pure voice more than did justice to a clearly popular choice – Hupfeld’s “As Time Goes By” from Casablanca.
Sondheim’s “There’s Always a Woman” from Anyone Can Whistle was an inspired choice for Kathleen Carlson and Littlejohn. Their contrasting voices in close harmony, together with the funny lyrics were wonderful. An impressive song, it’s hard to imagine why the original 1964 production closed after only nine days.
Finally, the cast entered singing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” by Gilbert and Wrubel, from Song of the South and the audience joined in enthusiastically.
Congratulations to all for a superb production, thoroughly enjoyed by all.