Yes, dear readers, in case you were at last Wednesday's performance of the smart and snappy cabaret revue, What's Your Problem, playing Wednesday nights at Rose's Turn, and were wondering who was that one person who applauded when performer/lyricist Hector Coris asked, "Are there any straight men here tonight?", that was, in fact, me. For although most of the show's 18 songs dealt with aspects of gay life, he want to assure us (me?) that the evening would be straight-friendly. Indeed, several of lyrics were about popular straight male subjects like enjoying Broadway showtunes, weekending on Fire Island and the swell of pride one feels during Fleet Week.
The score by Coris and composer/arranger/accompanist Paul L. Johnson is a fast and funny grab bag of peppy tunes and joke-laden lyrics that are lighthearted and jovial, having silly fun with its topics without ever letting the quips get nasty. Character clown Coris is joined vocally by fresh-faced juvenile Eric Martin and sassy belter Suzanne Adams. The three of them sound great together and all shine individually in material that nicely plays their contrasting comic styles.
Coris is hammy, show-biz fun playing broad roles like a Brokeback Mountain cowpoke, singing the joys of reading Blueboy and listening to ABBA on the ranch, a 50's pop idol warbling of his "Chelsea Boy" ("His contacts are the brightest blue.") and a giddy gay man confessing, "Str8 Men Go Str8 to My Heart." ("A runway, he knows, is for planes, not for clothes / But give him five shots and it's anything goes!")
He and Martin duet on the evening's only song parody, borrowing one of Jule Styne's Gypsy melodies for "If We Were Gay Married". (Their wedding cake would be 8% carbs and Harold Prince would direct the ceremony.)
Martin's solos, performed with a pleasing tenor and flippant charm, include a sparkling Noel Coward parody, "Thanks For a Lovely First Time, Mr. Wilby" (Do I really need to explain that one?), a musically Kurt Weill-ish exploration of reality TV and a Latin number reminiscent of "Down Argentine Way" toasting "Flamin' Fire Island." ("The fun you'll remember, but names and faces not so much.")
Adams is a gifted comic playing self-effacing humor in a style that may remind you of greats like Rose Marie and Kaye Ballard. Her dimly-masked romantic frustration, shining through a slightly too-sunny smile, perfectly serves funny songs like "Every Single Girl (Should Have a Homo)" and "Lowering My Standards", but her showstopper, utilizing her knack for farce and a versatile range, is the wildly frenetic diva spoof "Crossover Queen."
Director Colette Black nimbly steers the show from zanier bits to verbal wit with a fluid touch, providing fun staging for numbers like the Andrew Sisters style salute to Fleet Week. Heck, it's an achievement just coordinating smooth entrances and exits for three performers on that tiny Rose's Turn stage. The pacing is brisk and the comedy lightly zings.
The past couple of years have seen quite a few politically minded musical revues in New York, all of them critical of the current administration. And as fine a tradition as political satire may be, in a predominantly liberal city like New York these shows tend to separate the country into "us" and "them." That's why it's always great to have a charming and funny show like What's Your Problem? around. It's the kind of entertainment that can be enjoyed by Democrats and openly gay Republicans alike.
Remaining performances of What's Your Problem? are on April 19 & 26 at 7PM and April 29th at 9PM. Call Rose's Turn (after 4PM) at 212-366-5438 for reservations and information.
Photo: Suzanne Adams, Eric Martin and Hector Coris
