Faith Prince exhibits a one of a kind brand in Cabaret show

October 26, 2016

Faith Prince, who calls herself “Broadway’s Quirky Leading Lady” lived up to her billing during her “Have A Little Faith” show, Friday, at the Cabaret at the Columbia Club. It was the first of a two-night stint  at the Cabaret for the zany performer who said she had never performed in Indy before, even though she received her training a few hours away at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

It’s been been quite a ride for Prince since her student days in Cinci, beginning with her 1989 Broadway debut in  as Tesse Tura in”Gypsy.”  Later she won the crown jewel of the American Theater when she was awarded a Tony in 1992 as Best Actress in a Musical for the “Guys and Dolls,”  in which she played Miss Adelaide. Working steadily on Broadway and in films and television ever since, Prince most recently starred in “Disaster” on the Great White Way.

Faith Prince

Faith Prince – Courtesy of The Cabaret at the Columbia Club. Used by permission.

For her Cabaret show, Prince was accompanied by pianist Don Rebic as well as by her husband, Larry Lunetta, who played the trumpet during several numbers. How she met Lunetta  was just one of the many entertaining stories she shared about her life and career , which she referred to as “curvaceous,” during her show.

Prince opened with a mash-up “Adelaide’s Lament,” from “Guys and Dolls.” Both songs spoke to the breakthrough role that established her as comedic actor who specializes  in the kewpie doll, air-head type she has played several time throughout her career.

“Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour” (which she sang with Rebic), from “Little Shop of Horrors,” were two more songs which showed off the uniqueness of Prince’s voice which is singular in its power and range. The character, Audrey, who sings those songs in the show, was one which Prince said she wished she could have originated. Eventually she did play the part, taking over for Ellen Greene who created the role in the stage version and also in the film.

One of Prince’s particular strengths as a Cabaret performer is in the way in which she connects with the audience. Nowhere was that gift more apparent than when she sang “Hurry! It’s Lovely Here,” and “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have Now” from “On A Clear Day.”

During her introduction to “Man Without a Horn” Prince explained  how it was she met Lunetta. While performing onstage in “On A Clear Day” at the Sacramento Music Circus, she noticed him playing in the orchestra pit and it was love at first sight.  Eventually Lunetta joined Prince on stage to play while she sang. The musical and personal chemistry between the two of them was, predictably, palpable. later Prince and Lunetta electrified the sold out audience with her rendition of “And The World” from “Cabaret” and he joined in while positioned at the rear of the venue.

Oozing with warmth and personality and gifted at song interpretation, Prince continued showing off her talents when she paid tribute to the show that made her famous, as she sang “If I Were A Bell,” sung by the character, Sarah, in “Guys and Dolls.”

For her encore Prince sang what has become her signature song.  A parody song (The Boy From Ipanema)  titled “The Boy From,” from “Side By Side, by Sondheim,” it was the perfect conclusion to an evening featuring one of Broadway’s most original talents.

For tickets and information regarding the remainder of the 2016 Cabaret at the Columbia Club  Summer/Fall season call (317) 275-1169 or visit www.thecabaret.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo: Josh Humble

About Tom

Journalist, producer, director, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, arts administrator, TV contributor, actor, model, writer and lyricist, Tom Alvarez has had an extensive career in media and the fine arts and continues to be an enthusiastic and devoted fan of both. His passion and unique background grant him insight, access and perspective to cover, promote and review the arts in Indianapolis, Central Indiana and beyond. Follow him on social media @tomalvarezartswriter and @tomalvarez1.

Alvarez has been writing about theatre, dance, music, cinema and visual arts for 40 years. His work has appeared in the Indianapolis Star, NUVO, Indianapolis Monthly, Arts Indiana, Unite Magazine, Dance Magazine, NOTE Magazine, and Examiner.com, among many other print and online platforms. A former contributor to Across Indiana on WFYI-TV, he currently has a regular performing arts segment on WISH-TV’s Life. Style. Live!

A principal of Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC, Alvarez co-created “Calder, The Musical” and is the managing director of Magic Thread Cabaret. As an actor-model, he has appeared in numerous TV and print ads and is represented by the Helen Wells Agency and Heyman Talent Artists Agency.

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