Diva Station Trio, Maureen Batt, Laura Caswell, and Sarah Richardson, brings its new show Songs Through the Ages to Neptune Theatre for a very limited run, just until April 28, 2018. This was my first time hearing these ladies sing together and they are indeed a powerhouse force, especially in their gorgeous three part harmonies.
The show is set up to conjure the image of a spinning radio dial; we hear bits and pieces of iconic songs, mostly sung by those we would consider to be “divas:” from Judy Garland to Etta James to Idina Menzel and Celine Dion. Then the band, Mike Carroll (drums), Richard Belding (bass), and Gwen Dawson (keyboards and Musical Director), begin to play and Batt, Caswell, and Richardson treat us to a mixture of songs, just as eclectic, with their own unique arrangements, interpretations, and those gorgeous harmonies.
Highlights of the evening were many, and included Batt’s stunning Opera aria, Caswell’s hilarious rendition of Michael Bruce’s “Portrait of a Princess,” and then her equally emotional rendition of Kander and Ebb’s “Maybe This Time” (from Cabaret), and Richardson’s exceptional performances of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” and Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” “Somebody to Love” is worth the price of admission alone. Wow.
The song medleys and mashups are quite unique, and it is a treat to hear three women whose vocal styles are so different singing together in ways that complement one another, and play to each other’s strengths so nicely. I found at the end of their “Rose” mashup and at the end of their Golden Age of Musical Theatre Medley when all three are singing together at full volume and soul I was getting goosebumps. I love the music from the 1960s, so the Sixties Medley was my favourite, and Richardson has such a cool Bette Midler vibe, I only wished the medley was longer. In fact, the entire show flies by in a heartbeat. I would have happily listened to these women sing for another hour or two or six.
There was also a little bit of comedy thrown in around the Cole Porter song “Friendship” (Du Barry Was a Lady), which was pure, delightful, silliness. The banter in the show is kept to a minimum, but Batt, Caswell and Richardson all show a great ease on the stage, great connection with the audience and rapport with one another, and a strong command of space, which keeps the show flowing seamlessly during both small set changes and large costume changes. Dawson, Carroll and Belding also help keep the momentum flying with their powerhouse playing.
Diva Station Trio: Songs Through the Ages is a really great mixture of the familiar and the new. Batt, Caswell, and Richardson bring Halifax a really high caliber Cabaret show here that would fit in well at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto or Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York.
Diva Station Trio: Songs Through the Ages plays at Neptune’s Scotiabank Studio Theatre just until April 28th, 2018. There is a show tonight (April 27th) at 7:30pm and then tomorrow (April 28th) at 2:00pm. For tickets visit THIS WEBSITE.
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