I'm Just Saying @ Alma Theater Cabaret 7/9 Ahhh, bliss. Almost. Take a bunch of songs. Real songs, with understandable words that mean something, and mostly singable melodies to go along with them. Add in two polished, veteran performers (singer/dancer/actors) who can convey meaning with the lift of an eyebrow, or slight movement of one hand. Combine with an accompanist in a relatively intimate performing space, and then – just sit back and enjoy.

This was the reality at I’m Just Saying a Cabaret at the Alma Theater of Cain Park in Cleveland Heights on Sunday evening, when Adina Bloom and John Jensen gave us two heart and soul-filled hours of song. Unamplified song. It would have been entirely perfect had the piano of Brad Wyner been softened just a tad. In some of the more vigorous parts of a few of the songs, he tended to overpower the two singers, but generally, the musicality was at a very high level.

Bloom and Jensen, being such good actors, are able to put over a song in such a way as to gladden the hearts of any composers or lyricists. The three musicians met last year while performing Maltby and Shires’ BABY at Kalliope Stage. Area critics tended to credit the couple with virtually stealing the show with their rendition of And What if We Had Loved Like That. Fittingly, that was the much-appreciated encore.

Perhaps the highlight of this particular performance was Bloom’s tribute to My Yiddishe Mama. Actually, the singer’s Mother was in the audience, and the song was rendered up close and personal as Bloom came into the house and held her mother’s hand during the song. Not to be out-done, Jensen then launched into a tribute of his own—M.O.T.H.E.R.-to his ‘Goyishe Mama’ (who was not present.) Between each letter, he related a short tale of his growing up, spiced with words of wisdom from his Mom. I’m sure that each mother in the house accepted these tributes as her very own. There weren’t too many dry eyes, that’s for sure! Jensen also displayed a neat comedic talent during this piece—I’m Just Saying.

Overall, the theme was communication, as in I Talk to the Trees or Blah-Blah-Blah, or Anything You Can Do, (I Can Do Better!) or Friendship, not to mention Happy Talk! Some of the songs were definitely romantic I’m Glad There is You and Our Language of Love, Stay With Me and Tell Me Lies. Emotion and depth were definitely on display. It was wonderful. We can hope they’ll do it again. Soon.

The Alma Theatre is a great venue for this type of presentation, and there are more such shows—although with different performers—still to come. For complete schedule and ticket information, call Cain Park at (216) 371-3000, or visit the web-site at: http://www.cainpark.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriter@adelphia.net (:divend:)