RAW: Cabaret Festival – Michael Feinstein Sings Sinatra – 5K

With a Las Vegas like welcoming to the stage and an opening number that finished with him atop his piano, Michael Feinstein delivered a rousing finale to 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. With a stage draped in luxurious folded curtains and supported by the 17 piece Adelaide Art Orchestra, Feinstein belied his 55 years of age with a performance full of vitality, style, great voice and variety.

Possessing a self cynical demeanour (that remained well shy of horrid false modesty), Feinstein performed not only Sinatra covered songs of the great composers of the mid years of the 20th century but also others by them in a range of styles. Throughout his voice was top notch and the seamless transitions between songs just emphasised what a truly professional entertainer he is.

Highlights included Luck be A Lady, Such a Lot Of Living To Do and the finale, New York.

Just the consummate performer and performance and one of the highlights of the festival, far surpassing how it opened with ONJ.

By way of note, I do need to marvel at the performance of two audience members both sitting in the very front row. One old matron found herself caught short about 20 minutes in and Feinstein thankfully took to her upon her return – it is doubtful this old biddy will be seated so unprepared again – not even Dame Edna could have rightfully have humiliated her any more.

The other was some geezer in a workman’s cap with a rucksack, also in the front row, who 10 seconds before the end of one song and 10 minutes before the end of the concert, stood up, adjusted his clothing and wares and walked out. With tickets at $95, one wonders how it was he was there and yet needed to time his run to the bus stop.

Wonders will never cease. What were these people thinking?

Kryztoff Rating  5K

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