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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2003)
MUSIC ▼ Haughty and naughty F rom the Port land Gay Men s Chorus to Boris & Natasha. Gershwin at Ameri can Heritage to Sinfer- no at Dante’s. Perform by ers of all kinds— and lots of them queer— are the Tony-winning actor from stepping up to share Broadway’s Les Misérables. their songs and their sto “When I came here nine ries amid Portland’s grow years ago, it was shocking to ing cabaret scene. me that Portland didn’t “Audiences are starved have a cabaret,” recalls for musical entertain Lewis, who is gay. ment,” says Alan Ander “Cabaret was the only son of Broadway Rose The thing that was missing in atre Company in Tigard. Portland’s artistic scene." “The g(xxl news is some of But the city’s cultural our best musical theater base is getting stronger, he performers in town are says. Artistic alternatives now creating their own are becoming more varied opportunities and devel and audiences are willing to oping cabaret acts.” take more risks. Known primarily for So are performance its summer-stock musi venues such as W ilf’s Restau cal theater, Broadway rant & Piano Bar at Union Rose expanded its Station. In fact, Wilf’s began season last year by setting Portland’s new standard adding a holiday for traditional cabaret more show and playing than a year ago when Jo-Anne host to three one- Nofield took a chance on book night cabarets. ing local performers for regular Anderson says the Tuesday night gigs. series, which began While many entertainers its second season last at Wilf’s are gay and have a month, is especially musical theater background, appealing because their cabaret shows are not as it offers an inexpen narrowly defined. An artist’s sive evening of repertoire sometimes entertainment. includes music from a Rick Lewis is a veter Broadway show but an music director, per more often features former and playwright standard ballads, jazz or who has worked with lesser-known, poignant Anderson at Broadway selections that give each Rose and at other venues act a distinctly personal in Portland for a number touch. of years. He also recently And there’s always began producing his own humor, remarks Nofield. cabaret aboard the Port- & “The cabaret at Wilf’s land Spirit cruise ship on doesn’t get raunchy, but the Willamette. Dubbed there’s innuendo.” “River of Stars,” the Nearby in the Old Town series presents high- district is Hobo’s, a longtime profile entertainers in queer fave for more infor an intimate setting. mal cabaret-type entertain ment, featuring a gay- The shipboard From top: Alan Anderson, Rick Lewis, cabaret opened in manned piano bar comple Jo-Anne Nofield and Harriet Guthrie mented occasionally by February with bring cabaret to Portland audiences vocalists. Here the scene is Michael McGuire, Portland rekindles an intimacy with hard-to- define, easy-to-love and oh-so-gay cabaret ¡ www. r cgf b. or g ] T imothy K rause subdued, and the music tends toward light jazz, old favorites and a lot of show tunes. "People get tired of canned music,” says Hobo’s owner Harriet Guthrie. “So, it’s nice to have someone at the piano to talk with, to ask for a song.” It’s that sense of intimacy, spontaneity and personal connection between performer and audience that define^ cabaret. The “fourth wall"— an imaginary division between audience and cast that allows a willing suspension of dis belief—isn’t found here. A cabaret artist doesn’t just perform for the audience, but recognizes it. “You can go to a theater and see a fabulous show, but there’s still that distance there,” explains Nofield. “This singles it down to one person and brings them to the focus.” Comeback for cabaret, old chum ere are just a few upcoming opportunities to see cabaret in Portland. Watch the Just Out events calendar for additional listings. Broadway Rose Theatre Company pre sents local fevorite chanteuse Susannah Mars in her cabaret “Mars on Life" at 8 p.m. March 22. Then, on April 26, Terry Palasz, the “Polish Diva from Milwaukee,” appears. Performances are at Tigard Community Friends Church, 15800 S.W. Hall Blvd. Tick ets are $12 from 503-620-5262, Ml W ilfs Restaurant & Piano Bar, 800 N.W. Sixth Ave., presents a special Variety Show cabaret March 25 featuring the best entertainers o f the past year. Jerry Stuart performs April 1 and 8, followed Susan Overcast on April 15,22 » i d 29. All shows begin at 7 3 0 p.m. $10 cover charge and reservations are suggested at 503-223-0070. march 21. 2003» A t the same time, a cabaret venue with food and drink provides an atmosphere in which patrons can feel comfortable to socialize with friends and even mingle with performers. Every cabaret show is different, Lewis adds. “ It’s the intimacy o f somebody just talking with the audience. Because the audience can talk back, it’s really honest entertainm ent.” Although most performers find their bread and butter in larger shows with longer runs, cabaret gives them the opportunity to go solo for a night or two. They can perform as them selves, try out new material and put together a show in which they really connect with their audience. That relationship may explain the cabaret community’s Will & Grace casts of predomi nantly gay men and straight women. “The gay male performer wears his heart on his sleeve a little easier than a straight man,” suggests Lewis. "A nd, with a propensity for a gay audi ence, where are you going to find more adora tion as a straight woman?” JTH Oui. Board near Southwest Salm on Street and Front Avenue. Reservations at 503-224-3900. Hobo's, 120 N.W. Third Ave., presents gay pianists most nights; a few vocalists will return in April. Music generally begins at 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 p.m. weekends. N o cover. Jodi Benson croons on a river boat cruise March 28 and 29 ' "■ ✓ The “R iver o f Stars'* cabaret series aboard the Portland Spirit continues March 28 and 29, with Jodi Benson, the voice of Disney’s Little Mermaid. Debbie Gravitte, Tony winner for Jerome Roly bins' Broadway, follows April 25 and 26. Call for times. Regularly $36, tick ets are half-price if you mention Just 1 The Rose City Gay Freedom Band Glitter and Be Gay! Music both frivolous and serious Rice Majors, Conducting 8:00pm Saturday, April 12th 2003 Rose City Park Cnitcd Methodist Church .5830 NE Alameda St. • Portland, Oregon near the intersection ot Sandy Blvd and N E ,57th proudly presents Featuring: CANDIDE FANFARE for the COMMON MAN The ADAGIO for STRINGS Selections from —an arrangement for wind instruments BULLDOG MARCH —by Seattle com poser Sean Osborn P L U S works by other gay American com posers: SAMUEL BARBER AARON COPLAND LEONARD BERNSTEIN $5 Seniors A Students Available at Gal Pied or call 5 0 3 /7 9 0 .2 1 7 0 ✓ i-
