By Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Richie Stephens in full swing at the 'Comedy meets Cabaret' show at the Whispers Bar, Breezes Runaway Bay, St. Ann on Friday night. - Contributed
THE WHISPERS Bar was anything but hushed on Friday night as Breezes Runaway Bay hosted 'Comedy meets Cabaret'. The show was part of the 'Friends of Marjorie Simms' events. Mrs. Simms, who worked at the hotel, needs a kidney transplant, which her brother is willing to donate. However, a lot of money is needed for the operation and these shows act as fundraisers.
With the noble theme of the evening in mind, it seems as if the artistes were a little more 'pumped up' as they delivered superb performances. First up was Hugade, a male trio that has performed at the hotel on numerous occasions. Backed by resident band Wright's Incorporated, their set was electrifying to say the least. They livened the party with September and burned down the place with Disco Inferno. They did not abandon the local stuff either as Shinehead's Strive and Toots Hibbert's 54-46 were well received.
If they had the mostly female crowd screaming before with their harmony and smooth dance moves, they sent them to utopia with Let's Get In On and Cruising. After a few more uptempo hits, including Jimmy Cliff's Reggae Night, the guys wrapped it up with a crushing rendition of George Michael's Faith.
Ricardo Ardito, an employee of the hotel who goes by the moniker 'Pancho Villa', had a short but witty stint. His good rapport with the crowd, coupled with a pretty decent imitation of a Latino accent, made him a huge favourite. He had a good command of the accents, whether that of a Texan or just anyone 'twanging'. In his introduction, he was billed as the 'singing comedian' and he lived up to it by doing Going to Kansas City, as well as blowing out some notes on his harmonica. He was given warm applause by all.
Gem Myers is still one of Jamaica's leading female vocalists and she reminded everyone of that. Dressed in full black, she asked How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore?, and wondered who Mr. Big Stuff thought he was. She increased the tempo by 'bigging up' Whitney Houston with How Will I Know? and I Wanna Dance With Somebody. The crowd was fully captivated by now and refused to let her go. She complied as she reminded everyone that she was a One Man Woman. After doing some other early '80s tunes, she got down to some serious 'bubbling' with one of the guests.
If Gem Myers brought the crowd to its feet, then Ity and Fancy Cat left them rolling on the ground. The comedic duo explored several topics, from that surrounding Osama bin Laden to relationships. They worked the crowd with their well-rehearsed routine of trying to decide who had the better 'lyrics' for the ladies and imagining what kind of conversation Bob Marley and Michael Manley might be having in heaven.
The man given the responsibility to close the show was Richie Stephens and the perennial showman could do no wrong. After asking the ladies to give him their love, he decided to get sentimental. The minute he uttered the first words of Luther Vandross' I'd Rather, he had the audience firmly in his grasp.
He paid homage to his mother with Let Her Cry and remembered his late friend Garnett Silk by doing Get Up, Stand Up before engaging the audience in a sing-off. He was matched note for note by the enthusiastic crowd. Then he had more than enough help to do Fall In Love as the crowd had the chorus down to a science.
A quick look at the watch indicated that the show had lasted for more than three hours but you would have hardly noticed.
