Eddie Sarfaty / Sabrina Mathews

When I ran into Sabrina on the street, I knew that I had to see her perform live. Her bridesmaid story is one of my favorite comedy moments. This woman is up there with my favorites, Sandra B and Joan R.
So we get the theater early, I mean really early and have some tea and wait. The next hour and a half were such a surprise. You see, in P-Town, the acts have to sell the show on the street and drag an audience in. I've never seen anything like this. We watched Eddie work the crowd, and sat there in awe. He is the most natural comic I've seen. And a really great guy too. I was so glad to get to know him. My mind was racing the whole time, "hmmm, who can I set him up with. This guy is way too cool to be single"
So Eddie starts the show. Great material. It was obvious the influence of "Funny Gay Males". The ex-boyfriend and dating material was fantastic. I hope he writes the book. I loved Bob Smith's books, and Eddie's stuff is just as funny, but from a very different and completely unique perspective.
Sabrina is hysterical. Her delivery is seamless and her stories are dikey without alienating. I love this woman.
Fantastic show and a great night.

Girlyman / Dar Williams

Finally, I got to see them live. Girlyman was the greatest musical discovery of the year. The Indigo Girls have passed the torch. And such capable musicians to carry on the tradition of contemporary folk. The harmonies are gorgeous and the songs are little well-crafted gems. The sound system sucked and made their normally perfect diction mushy. But it made no never mind to this folk junky. I loved every minute.
Ty - writes and sound a lot like Emily Saliers. She is a hip, no nonsense chick with a lovely, earthy voice.
Doris - Shy, pretty voice. She reminds me of Tracy Thorn of EBTG. That gorgeous sad voice. "The shape I found you in" made my eyes well up.
Nate - Funky, strong voice, strange lyrics (in a fabulous way) and a great musician. Every time I hear Viola (which they sadly did not do) something funny happens to my heart. One of the loveliest songs I know.
Can't wait to see them live in an acoustically better space. If you are reading this, run to see them. NOW.
Dar Williams, hmm, second time seeing her. She is a great musician like Shawn Colvin, But unlike Ms. Colvin, only a handful of songs move me. I know I should like her, but her music is like broccoli or math. You know it's good for you, but it just doesn't taste too good. She should have opened for Girlyman.

Randy Roberts

I have known Randy for a lot of years. A while back, she had a rough accident that sidelined her for a couple months. So like true stage veteran, she made lemonade. She turned her multi-character, dance-laden show to rest for a while, and created one of the most memorable cabaret shows I had ever seen. The songs were beautiful and funny, the banter witty and the character of Ms. Randy Roberts grew to someone very real and fleshed out. It was magic.
I did not know what to expect of his show this week in Provincetown. As with anyone you see often, it can get redundant or tired. Well boy oh boy, did she deliver.
Bette came out first and did a rousing "BW Bugle Boy" and told some great old Sophie Tucker gems. It's a little odd sitting so close. A friend in the back of the house said it was a great Bette from back there. It was great up front, except Randy has very toned arms and gloriously long legs, not quite Bette. The rest was dead on.
The in between film of Sophie Tucker jokes was the perfect little costume pause.
Then Cher. I have never seen anyone do her better. The voice is dead-on and the body is perfect. I know that I will probably lose my gay-card, but a little Cher (even the real one) is plenty for me. Randy edited her down to a very entertaining 15 minutes.
The video interlude "I put a little more mascara on" is still fascinating. I've seen it so many times, but it is always moving.
Ms. Randy Roberts finished the show. This is the best. It is easy to get lost in the visual illusion and take the voice for granted, but being a lover of great voices, I can't help but be swept away by that instrument. Some day, Mr. Randy Roberts will come to the house and sit next to my grand piano, and let me accompany him for hours.
On a side note, he once composed a jingle for the company I was working for. It was funny and effective. It is burned into my brain like only the best commercials do.
Fun night. Thanks Randy.