Daily Loaf

“Bring on the Men and Let the Fun Begin.”  That was the opening number of M.A.D Theatre’s Broadway Gay Cabaret (M.A.D. stands for Music, Acting and Dance).  And they truly did bring on the fun.

I walked into Streetcar Charlie’s in Ybor not really knowing what to expect.  As a friend of mine said, it could be really good, or it could be really bad.  There was a small stage area with a white gauzy curtain.  The performers (about ten men and women) were dressed in basic black and added props appropriate to the various songs.

Director, producer and performer Justyn Wade Dansby introduced the show as a “Fabaret” that would cover the themes of love, life, happiness and unhappiness, and he was right.

I was pleasantly surprised.  The group had some truly kick-ass voices.I liked the fact that the songs they chose were not limited to the old standards. The selection — including “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors and “I Want an Old Fashioned Lesbian Love Story” from The Wild Party — was kind of different from what you’d usually expect in a Broadway revue. And there were plenty of cute, funny moments, like the classic from Avenue Q — “If you were gay that would be okay.  I mean just hey, I’d like you anyway.” A number from I Love You Because began with a guy and a girl on stage saying, “We’re just friends.  Who also make out.”  The girl said, “He’s gay,” and shrugged.  Then they launched into the song, “We’re just friends …  with benefits.  We use chocolate syrup on each other in ways you never thought of before.”

The show ended in a bang-up finale with the entire cast singing a very powerful “Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes” from Rent.  It really got the crowd rocking.

The show was a fundraiser, with all proceeds supporting M.A.D.’s summer staging of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  There was no playbill, probably due to the fact that they wanted all of the funds raised to go to their performance, but I would like to have seen them introduce all of the performers.  Some were introduced by name and some not.  I’d like to give a call-out to the cast and crew:  Directed and Choreographed by Justyn Wade Dansby & Aaron Washington; Musical Direction by Emi P. Stefanov; Live Vocal Performances by: Aaron Washington, Eileen B. Lymus-Sanders, Erin Hooten, Jared Hair, John David Partain, Justyn Wade Dansby, Kay Rimando, Meghan Dorman, Melissa Brown, & Ricky Cona.

Streetcar Charlie’s provided a very pleasant environment for watching the show.  The audience was seated around tables with white tablecloths and could order food and drinks.  (I know from previous visits that the food is excellent.)  There was some seating at the back and some standing room.

The audience responded in a big way.  It was a very entertaining night of musical theater, and I hope that M.A.D. Theater raised all the funds they needed to put on their production.  This theater group has some really, really talented people.  Though you may have missed this show, watch for their upcoming season.

M.A.D. Theatre’s Broadway Gay Cabaret was held in the White Room of Streetcar Charlie’s, 1811 N. 15th St., Ybor City on April 17th at 8 PM and April 18th at 9 PM.

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