Photo courtesy of Rony Armas

HO HO NOHO The Christmas Season officially opened in NoHo on the night of December 13th at the historic and majestic El Portal Theater (www.elportaltheater.com) Lankershim Blvd., with not one, but two events on the same evening: cabaret and choral!

In the intimate 94-seat Circle Theater, Deborah Downey premiered the grand opening of her Cabaret Theater with Deborah Downey’s Holiday Happening.  On the main stage, The West Coast Singers (Chorus of the Lesbian and Gay Community of Los Angeles) presented their holiday show entitled Comfort and Joy.    

Deborah Downey’s Holiday Happening starred not only Deborah Downey but also special guest artists, including Amanda Abel, Keri Kelsey, JD Kessler, Mary Jo Mundy, Shelly Goldstein and John Vance.  This was a wonderful variety music show where these talented artists displayed their unique talent in cabaret style singing.  The show kicked off what proposes to be an ongoing series of cabaret shows, events and open mic nights, produced and hosted by Deborah Downey, to perform on the El Portal Circle Theater Stage.  

Ms. Downey opened the show with a warm welcome and stunned the audience with her glamorous deep red gown.  It set the mood for the song “Christmas Cliché’s.”  She then sang “White Christmas” but what was especially unique about her classic rendition was the opening of the song.   She lightly sung about the fact that although she loves toasty Hollywood, around this time of year she longs for the snowy climate of her youth.  In the middle of the song she invited the audience to sing along.  Not only does she have a versatile voice but what makes her such a great performer is that she has the rare ability to make each member of the audience feel as though she were singing directly to them.     

J.D. Kessler’s performance was also noteworthy.  His tender “Kid Inside” was a sentimental song about the fact that inside of this grown man was the heart and spirit of a teenager.   It was very moving.   He then told an anecdote about an old high school sweetheart whom he called for the first time after several decades of no contact.   The song told the story more beautifully than his introduction.  His song about wanting to be “Rich, Famous and Powerful” was a scream.

Amanda Abel sung “The Old Year,” a beautiful song, penned by her brother, songwriter, Brian Gary.   Her voice was strong and sultry.  It was especially effective when she sang her sexy ode to her VHS player and why it is better than having a real man.  Loaded with clever innuendos and delivered with intoxicating sensuality, she made the audience members blush..  Amanda closed with a show-stopping impersonation of Judy Garland (complete with shaking and hand movements) singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.   

The incredibly beautiful Keri Kelsey brought an interesting twist to the classic “Jingle Bell Rock.”   She began by talking about how she gets the blues around Christmas time, so, she sang the song slowly, reflecting this mood.  It was almost dirge-like, instead of the usual bouncy Wayne Newton version that most people are familiar with.  However, midway in the song, she broke into the more traditional version and brought smiles to everyone’s faces.    

The musical direction and piano accompaniment for the show was by Richard Berent.  Richard is absolutely one of the best piano players around.   He has the ability to adapt his playing to the individual style, phrasing and delivery of the singer.   His touch and tone are excellent and his chords are never muddy.    Gilmore Rizzo directed the show and this direction really made what could have been just a hum drum Christmas show, into a full production.  The transition between each performer was seamless, due to either piano interludes, or clever introductions by the singers.

For more information about Deborah Downey’s upcoming events at the El Portal, log onto  www.elportaltheater.com.

Comfort and Joy, by The West Coast Singers was led by Conductor and Artistic director Patty Breitag, on the main stage of the El Portal.  They managed to transform the theater into something regal, magnificent and moving.   

The show began with darkness.  Steven Applegate poured glistening arpeggios from the piano as the black tie donned, chorus (over 50 members), processed down the aisles, towards the stage, holding lighted candles.   Their singing of an arrangement of Personent Hodie by John Leavitt,  as they walked in, quite simply, put the audience in the palms of their hands for the rest of the evening.  (Bravo to Set Designer, Glenn Geller, for the appropriate sets and lighting.) 

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, the arrangement by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, was performed by the ensemble a capella.   The phrasing was tight and crisp and clear. 

Simple Holiday Joys, by Robert Ost and Jerry Fisher (arrangement by Frank Pooler) brought in the rest of the band.  The players were Maria Jaque, on flute; Sharon Ray, on bass and Dave Ramirez on Drums. 

Merry Christmas Mozart, arranged by Jay Althouse, was a hilarious medley of the most well-known Mozart melodies sung with ridiculous lyrics.