My Favorite Broads
My Favorite Broads
Spotlight Cabaret Series
April 29, 2015
Starring Natalie Cordone
Musical Direction by Chris Leavy
Winter Park Playhouse, Winter Park, FL</strong>
I keep forgetting to bring my Frequent Cordone Cabaret Card to these shows; by now I should qualify for a free drink or a parking upgrade. Ms. Cordone embarks on her fifth WPPH cabaret; she’s been staking out the cabaret territory all over town and in places classy and not so classy. Tonight Ms. Cordone stunned another sold out house; she squeezed into a black and gold sequined gown that just dripped with a rat pack era ambiance. The theme on this spring night was “My Favorite Broads;” it ranged from Peggy Lee to the Bangles to Edith Piaf. While there were a few male song writers and arrangers lurking in the background these were all songs woman made famous. “I Could Have Danced All Night” led into “Loverly” from “My Fair Lady” and then we were quickly whisked to the streets of Paris with Edith Piaf. Piaf’s the sort of woman who broke up with a good man because he became more popular. Men you can always find, but a career is a precious thing. Stalwart Chris Leavy backed Cordone on piano in a natty stripped shirt and matching candelabra as her father made a little archival film. Will these be a DVD release, or maybe tonight will find its way to YouTube? It ought to; this is material that deserves a much wider audience than the few dozen seats that squeeze into greater Winter Park. Even when the Great Wall of Winter Park comes down and the Playhouse expands its hegemony the audience here must remain small and intimate. There’s no Jumbotron versions of Cordone’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” or “Everybody’s Girl;” that pleasure is reserved for those quick enough to take a flyer on a midweek dash of decadence and class. You missed a stunning night; stop doing that. Just let me get my seat first.
For more information on Winter Park Playhouse, please visit http://www.winterparkplayhouse.org
