LOGAN – Cabaret-style entertainment has come to Cache Valley and it’s altogether fabulous.
Although the ongoing event is taking place at the new Lionheart Hall, even that spacious venue is hard-pressed to contain the boundless musical talents assembled by local maestro Jay Richards.
With a 12-piece orchestra led by Richards and half-a-dozen truly gifted vocalists, it’s an evening you won’t want to miss.
Featuring the talents of the Sarah Huff, Sebrina Woodland, Megan Nelson, Craig Winder, Sam Teucher and Travis Leonhardt, that ensemble leads off with a delicately harmonic rendition of “Pure Imagination,” the hit from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.
Richards follows up on that opening number with his own composition of the inspiring “Journey On,” from the musical Jane Eyre, beautifully sung by Ms. Huff.
Then came Stephen Sondheim’s wistful “Not While I’m Around” from the Sweeney Todd, performed by Teuscher and Ms. Nelson breathing comic life into “Times Like These (a Girl Could Use a Dog)” from the musical Lucky Stiff by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
The ensemble reassembled for the candle-lit, dramatic “Close Every Door,” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Ms. Woodland also performed another crowd favorite, “All That Matters,” from the musical Finding Neverland.
Demonstrating her versatility, Ms. Nelson then returned to the stage with another novelty song popularized by the diminutive Kristin Chenoweth, “The Girl in 14 G.”
Finally, the evening closed out with more of Richards’ music. Those tunes included the haunting “I Will Forget,” performed by Ms. Huff and Teuscher from the musical Pride and Prejudice; “Finally Home,” also from Jane Eyre, touchingly performed by Ms. Woodland and Leonhardt; and a full-ensemble reprise of “Journey On.”
Flawlessly performing Richards’ arrangements of all the show’s music were orchestra members Parker Bowles, Marilyn Cole, Anna Lisa Davidson, Eric Hatch, Alexis Haviland, Chilali Hugo, Roger Karren, Rick Kline, Carolyn Larson, Brett McAllister, Joel Ockerman and Clifton Richards.
The show’s set design is by jack-of-all trades Richards, with lighting by Kenneth Bell and sound by Justin Wellington and Matt Stowe.
The spectacular cabaret show is only slated to run for three more nights, however.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the show will be performed as a dinner theatre starting at 6:30 p.m. Seating for that performance will be limited to 100 guests.
On the evenings of Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17, the musical review will be staged at 7:30 p.m. without dinner being served.
Seating for those review-only shows will be open to 150 guests.
For additional information and/or tickets, please go online to https://www.lionhearthall.com/upcoming-events