Presented by The Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed 21 June 2017
Songwriter and jazz musician Cy Coleman was certainly a legend of his time, with an Academy Award nomination, two Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards and nineteen Tony Award nominations, Coleman was a household name during the 1960’s and 70’s.
Best remembered for musicals Sweet Charity, City of Angels and Barnum, Coleman also wrote some very memorable songs including Witchcraft, The Best is Yet to Come and Playboy’s Theme from the memorable TV show.
CYrens is a celebration of his music and of the sassy, tough and funny female characters that Coleman and sometimes lyricists Carolyn Leigh and Dorothy Fields created.
Featuring the powerhouse voices of Chelsea Renton-Gibb (Cabaret, Chicago), Amanda Harrison (Wicked) and Melissa Langton (The Fabulous Singlettes), CYrens features perfect harmonies and impeccable timing. Individually these women are incredibly talented, together they are absolutely spectacular.
Opening with a dramatic and sexy version of Big Spender from Sweet Charity the ladies briefly share some snippets of the life of Cy Coleman including his recreational drug use and his party days with Hugh Heffner.
The trio share with the audience some hauntingly beautiful solos too including You Can Always Count on Me, With Every Breath and Where Am I Going and provide some excellent laughs with Mother In-Law from Coleman’s ‘flop’ musical Welcome to the Club.
Finishing with Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity with a little medley from Rich Man’s Frug the three voices sound like the powerhouse of a full ensemble and they even indulge in a little Fosse style choreography to boot.
Ably supported by Musical Director and arranger Mark Jones who has been the recipient of 11 Green Room Awards and backed by a tight but uncredited ensemble, this spectacular celebration of Coleman’s wonderful music is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Ceri Hutton
Twitter: @Ceri_Hutton
Rating (out of 5): 5
Venue: The Space
Season: until 22nd June
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $36.90-$51.90
Bookings: Book online through the Adelaide Cabaret Festival website or phone BASS on 131 246
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