| rev:text
| - A first class venue with a second class management team.
The Cabaret at Theatre Square is what this town needs more of. A very pleasant and somewhat intimate venue for world class lesser in popularity acts that have die hard fans, but not stadium capacity followings. It is slightly reminiscent of the former Balcony in Shadyside, where I was able to see acts like Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks, have a somewhat pricey but fulfilling meal, enjoy a brunch on Sundays that kicked ANYONE'S culinary butt in the burgh, and enjoy time in an old world elegant atmosphere. This is what the Cabaret could be, but only is on occasion.
When CLO isn't presenting their 'appeal to the grunting masses' low brow 'comedies', every once in a while, someone steps up with some level of dignity and class and brings in the type of act that SHOULD be presented regularly in the space.
Most recently, Ann Hampton Callaway was presented for an evening that not only brought actual grace and pure talent to the space, but also stepped up the class level of the audience. I do believe that this was one of the rare cases in the burgh that I actually saw people en masse, aside from funerals and fundraising 'gala' events, DRESS properly for an evening at the theater. The dignity nearly took my breath away.
In the past, I also saw Jon Hendricks in this space, and again it was a lovely dignified evening of pure talent and class. THIS is what this space should be used for.
The atmosphere is mostly comfortable, though at times cramped when at full capacity. The tables are perfect...for TWO. For four, well, they're fine for drinks, but actually ordering food can get a bit 'on top of your neighbor'.
The food is pricey, and 'just ok'. I wouldn't call the portions 'healthy', more like glorified appetizers, but with a dinner price tag. The appetizers are also pricey, and in this case they live up to their name. They just wet your appetite and make you hungrier. Personally, although I would like it to be different, I'd go to dinner before attending an event here, and save just enough room for coffee and dessert. That would just about balance things out right.
The 'Cabaret Series' is a very needed and refreshing change from the usual entertainment presented in this space. The trouble is that it's being presented by a group of people who serve up more attitude than aptitude, who don't get 'out of the box' enough to know all that is really out there in the real world. There are SO many artists out there who present intimate evenings of jazz and cabaret that could make this space a monthly destination for those of out here who are starved for ANYTHING beyond black and gold towel waving and fart jokes. There are even excellent performance pieces by moving relevant artists that could engage the brain far beyond a trailer park drag queen Tupperware party. But that would require having someone 'in charge' who knew about such things and had the chutzpah to go for it. I've heard claims of 'they don't do that because it's so expensive'. Between cost of admission, drink sales, and food sales? I think they could MORE than amply cover the costs.
The staff at the Cabaret is very well suited for the space. Helpful and accommodating, well presented, and they know how to get the job done without disturbing the performance in progress.
This really is a fine space. And I have really enjoyed my times attending things that I really wanted to attend. Trouble is that those are so few and far between. I have no problem paying a somewhat higher price for a higher level of quality. But that is the curse of the burgh, and why I only tend to get out once or twice every two years. To make the Cabaret all that it should be would require real vision...and not blinders.
I'd give it five stars easily...if they just did something to make it worth attending more than once a year.
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