Jenna Grissom rocks the Etta James tune “At Last” during a Late Night Cabaret show performed by members of the Utah Festval Opera & Musical Theatre on July 13 at Cafe Sabor. Similar shows, with different music and performers, are slated on July 20 and 27.
LOGAN – The Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre debuted the first of three Late Night Cabaret shows outdoors at the Café Sabor restaurant on July 13.
UFOMT crown princess Vanessa Ballam was master of ceremonies for the classy event, which gave performers the opportunity to connect with audiences in a more relaxed style than their main-stage roles.
The cabaret began shortly after the curtain fell on a performance of Aida, a relatively recently adaptation of the classic opera with music by Sir Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan.
Many of the cabaret singers were members of the chorus for Aida and other current UFOMT offerings, eager for the chance to shine in the spotlight.
Jenna Grissom teased the capacity audience by asking if anyone wanted to hear some jazz, then launched into a spirited rendition of “At Last,” made popular by soul singer Etta James in the late 1940s.
Cabaret crowd favorite Levi Hopkins returned, reprising his 2021 performance of the 1937 standard “Down with Love,” jazzed up with snatches of other love songs inserted into the traditional lyrics.
As usual, Hopkins’ performance brought down the house. He can be seen as the Artful Dodger in the ongoing UFOMT production of Oliver!
Despite their youth, the performers’ choice of songs displayed a decided taste for tunes from classic Broadway shows of the past.
UFOMT newcomer Michael Rick — who plays ensemble roles in both the Verdi and Elton John versions of Aida as well as Oliver! – dusted off “Old Devil Moon” from the 1947 stage production of Finian’s Rainbow.
Another ensemble player, Tamra Harkley, revived a heartfelt interpretation of “Losing My Mind” from the 1971 production of Stephen Sondheim’s classic Follies.
But more recent tunes were also in the Cabaret’s lineup, including Nathan Templeton’s performance of “Run, Freedom, Run” from Urinetown and a crowd-pleasing duet of “Suddenly Seymore” from Little Shop of Horrors.
Several members of the audience expressed amazement at the performances of those ensemble players, which clearly demonstrated the depth of talent at all levels of the theater company.
But UFOMT headliners were by no mean absent from the Cabaret’s performers.
Coming straight from his leading role as the tragic hero Radamés in an earlier performance of Aida, MFOMT newcomer Charlie Tingen also delivered two memorable songs at the Cabaret.
The MFOMT has slated two additional opportunities for audiences to catch a similar Cabaret show – with new music and performers – on July 20 and 27.
Seating for those events at Café Sabor is limited, however.
Tickets for Cabaret shows can be reserved by calling the festival opera ticket office at 800-262-0074 or online at www.utahfestival.org