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The Love Song Cabaret @ Nighttown 6/28 They don’t write songs the way they used to! That’s a fact, and what a shame considering the wonderful entertainers we have in the area who know to respect the words and sing them the way the composers and lyricists intended. For sure the music is important, but really, when you get right down to it, it’s all about the words! Not to mention the delicious verses! And every single syllable was understandable. Fabulous!

But, of course, Bill Rudman knows all about that most important detail, as attested by all his years in charge of his syndicated radio program (formerly Broadway Melody, now Footlight Parade) that originates on WCLV-FM, and has for nearly 30 years or so. This time around, for his A Fine Romance- the Love Song Cabaret he was joined by the versatile pianist Nancy Maier (who doubles on vocals, and very well, too!), plus Helen Welch and Jared Leal.

Mostly, the songs were about love—but not all in a serious vein—as in Ira Gershwin’s Blah, Blah Blah'. Or Cole Porter’s once-considered scandalous Let’s Do It. I mean, if sentimental centipedes can be featured in a song, he was the one to manage it. The songs were mostly from the 20s to the 50s, with an occasional foray into the 80s, but not often, and not surprisingly, it was Sondheim that led the way. (Jared’s combo of Porter’s Night and Day segued neatly into the more recent Not A Day Goes By.

The ensemble showcased Down With Love, I Love You (from Little Me) and Let’s Fall in Love. One of the more touching renditions was Rudman’s spoken words to Here We Are Adrift on a Star, but he also held his own with the other singers in Poor You, Let Her Go, and the previously mentioned Blah, Blah, Blah. Ms. Maier gave us Embrace Me, I Wish I Were in Love Again (paired with Rudman) and Time After Time.

Of course, with two singers of the caliber of Ms. Welch and Mr. Leal on hand, it’s hardly to be wondered at that they shared the majority of the songs between them. Ms. Welch was featured in I Don’t Want to Walk Without You, Wonderful You, So in Love With You Am I, Where or When, Dancing in the Dark, Confession and Why Did I Choose You? Mr Leal's tunes were Kiss Me Once, Our Love is Here to Stay, Right as Rain, How to Handle a Woman, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, and All The Things You Are.

Indeed, as Rudman stated rather early on, he could already see some hand-holding in the audience, and why not? That’s the kind of songs these are, and when they’re done this well . . . He also noted that what these songs have in abundance, and not too many newer songs have much of, is – charm. They were indeed, charming from first to last.

Although Rudman brings his cabaret performances to Nighttown (in Cleveland Heights) on a regular basis (see here), it’s not the only place you can partake of this special treat. This show played at The Chautauqua Institution last year, and he also presents a series locally. For more information, visit his website, http://www.MusicalTheaterProject.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com (:divend:)