By Michael Buzzelli
Stephanie J. Block fresh from a recent revival of “Kiss Me, Kate” in London’s West End, sang songs from her heart on Monday, March 11th as part of the Trust Cabaret Series. She performed two sold-out shows.
Block, accompanied by pianist Ben Cohn, delivered powerful renditions of songs from “Wicked,” “Into the Woods,” “Falsettos” and more.
The Tony-Award winning actor filled the time between songs with witty banter and sips of hot tea.
Block told an amusing anecdotes about her experiences in Pittsburgh. She had genuine affection for the Steel City. She met her now-husband, Sebastian Arcelus , while trodding the boards at the Benedum in the national tour of “Wicked.” She was Elphaba and he was Fiyero (technically, the duo met in Hartford, Connecticut, but didn’t get together until they hit Pittsburgh).
While Block joked that she was tired and lazy, she was vivacious, charming and energetic on the cabaret stage.
Her rendition of “Breaking down” from “Falsettos,” which she did for the 9:30 PM show, was delightfully whacky and filled with gusto.
Block told a very amusing stories about her former bosses, Dolly Parton (on “Nine to Five”), and Cher (on “The Cher Show”), and recording Cher’s book on Audible). She sang songs from both shows.
Block’s show was one of the highlights of a stellar year of cabaret performances which included Laura Benanti, Jason Robert Brown and Christopher Jackson.
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The Trust Cabaret Series continues with Patina Miller on May 5 at the Greer Cabaret, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.
