A little song, a little dance

Cindy Benson starred on Broadway as the comedy lead in “Les

Miserables,” and was a tap dancing cat in “Cats.” The New York Times

has referred to her as another Lucille Ball. And she is just one of a

selected few who have national and international claim that are being

chosen to entertain the audiences in “Cabaret 2003” a new cabaret

series that started in Costa Mesa in March.

“Cabaret 2003” is the brainchild of producers Richard and Elaine

Lombardi, the twice-monthly show at their well-known eatery Mama Rose

Restaurant.

“The idea originally came about a year and a half ago,” Lombardi

said. “My wife and I love old songs, we thought that there is no

place to go to see such as show with an intimate atmosphere.”

So he went to the drawing board to research how they could make it

happen.

Lombardi knew the criteria, that they wanted a showcase series,

starring the best artists, featuring one artist as at a time,

bringing the art form of intimate cabaret to Orange County.

“We started looking around for artists and decided to present them

on Wednesday nights because we can get better artists,” Lombard said.

“We figured either the performers the music directors and

accompanists would be more available midweek.”

A different artist presents their special talent at each

performance, so it keeps it fresh for the audience and varied --

there will be 16 different artists each performing their show.

“In this format, every show is spectacular,” Lombardi said. “I’ve

been through 150 performances [auditions] or more to try and find the

16 best, and I’ve found the 16 best. It’s a prepared show that is

proven and works.”

The first show starred Anne Kerry Ford who graduated from

Juilliard and has been on Broadway in “Annie,” “Threepenny Opera,”

and in world premiere of the musical “Jekyll and Hyde”, and in movies

such as “Fearless,” “Lovesick,” “Clean and Sober” and a long list of

credits here and abroad.

Comedy was the theme for the second show, which starred Benson.

And Ray Jessel in his performance offered his expertise as a composer

and performer, who has written for Broadway, has been represented on

a recent CD by Michael Feinstein, and earlier in his career was the

last lyricist to work with legendary Richard Rodgers.

The next performance is April 23 and will star Lee Lessack who is

a celebrated cabaret and recording artist who just released his

fourth CD, “Too Marvelous for Words: The Songs of Johnny Mercer.”

“We have the best entertainment, as good as it gets anywhere,”

Lombardi said.

Producing shows isn’t something new for the couple; they have had

a Christmas special production going on five years that has been a

big success. He said that the first one was like a variety show and

it gave the impetus to know it can happen -- and the shows have been

selling out.

“Because we do that during December, and January and February are

packed with events, we decided to present the cabaret series between

March and October,” Lombardi said.

Lombardi explained that the evening starts with dinner being

served from 5 to 7 p.m. -- patrons have a menu of a salad followed by

a choice of three entrees and dessert. The seating is limited to 40

people so everyone has a good seat.

“From 8 to 9 p.m., 55 minutes and an encore the audience is

riveted to the performance with no interruptions,” Lombardi said.

“One woman in the audience told me she lost track of where she was

and said she had to come back to reality.”

He told her that she was in a supper club in New York City 60

years ago.

That’s the stage Lombardi tries to duplicate, explaining that the

restaurant is not formal, formal but very nice and personable.

“You feel like you’re in someone’s house,” Lombardi said. “My wife

and I are always there. The restaurant has a reputation for great

food and now the reputation for a great show.”

Mama Rose has received high ratings from the Zagat Guide, by Elmer

Dills, OCNow, MYOC, the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County

Register for its Italian American menu Lombardi said. Mama Rose is

located at 2346 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Tickets for the show are

$45 each and include a 3-course dinner, the show, tax and gratuity.

Tickets are available by calling (949) 650-1949.