“My View” by Stephen Sorokoff
Here is the weather report from the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. The Royal Room is ‘HOT” due to the sounds of Paulo Szot’s voice filling the air.
Sometimes taking a major opera and theater star off the big stage and putting him into a Cabaret does not work. It can also be difficult because the allure of a nightclub singer is based upon the freedom and liberties taken with the score and the ability to create an intimacy with the small audience. All this is at variance with the strictness and scope of opera and theater.
Paulo Szot
Having seen Paulo and his music director Billy Stritch at Cafe Carlyle in New York, I knew what to expect. But seeing them work in the elegant Royal Room gave me a new insight into how thrilling this cabaret act is. Paulo’s warm, rich voice is expertly enveloped by Billy Stritch’s renowned ability to so perfectly come up with the most ingenious harmonies and pianistic stylings. With a well rounded song list, Paulo becomes your personal romantic matinee idol in the true tradition of Robert Goulet and, of course, South Pacific’s Ezio Pinza. Even when Billy (who is known for his Bossa Nova virtuosity) joined Paulo in a duet of Brazilian music, it was a perfectly natural event. West Palm Beach became Sao Palo!
**Photos by Stephe Sorokoff
Posted by Sandi Durell
on February 21, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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