October 26, 2009
By Tom Williams
The creative mind of Silk Road Theatre Project’s Jamil Khoury has produced a terrific new cabaret revue featuring songs from Broadway depicting the culture clash of East-West. Featuring a seven person diverse cast of Chicago talents, Silk Road Cabaret is a brilliant concept that utilizes a blend of fabulous Broadway tunes with personal anecdotes from the cast about growing up in America as first generation Silk Road folks.
The three stages on the intimate table/chair setting at the Chicago Temple brings audiences close to the cast as they weave their stories with a excellent selection of show tunes selected by Jamil Khoury. Lead by Joseph Anthony Foronda, the cast includes Christine Bunuan, Dipika Cherala, Katherine L. Condit, Erik Kaiko, Govind Kumar and David Rhee. This group under the creative musical direction of Gary Powell and the smart direction from Elizabeth Margolius have delivered a most entertaining 80 minute cabaret revue. This refreshing show delights as it is sung marvelously as it contains an honest respect for the material.
With songs like “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” (South Pacific), “On A Slow Boat to China" (Frank Loesser), to “Are You sure You Want to be Famous” (Bombay Dreams), to “Bali Hai” (South Pacific) and “Stranger in Paradise” (Kismet)—the revue is both playful and ironic in its depiction of Silk Road persona. Pacifi Overtures, Chess, The King and I, Zorba, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar and Milk and Honey offer tunes that the cast sang with heart. Joseph Foronda’s slick rendition of “The American Dream” (Miss Saigon) was the highlight of the show. Each of the talent stepped up to showcase their vocal chops.
The concept works as one of the most refreshing cabaret revues I’ve seen in years. This cabaret show needs to be remounted at an established cabaret venue such as Drury Lane Water Tower since it is a new concept with terrific songs expertly sung and smartly staged. This innovative show stretches cabaret in new directions that need to be explored. Kudos to Jamil Khoury. Hurry, there are only have 6 more performances.