DSC_9354 copy

Robin Westle, Craig Schulman

 

 

by Marilyn Lester

DSC_8936x

Robin Westle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Westle is “helping build families one song at a time.” Her cabaret with a cause raises money to help prospective parents cope with the high cost of adopting children into a loving home. Westle is the parent of two adopted children, a song and a daughter, and the performers and songs they sing are all tied to the theme of adoption.

DSC_8926

Eric Michael Gillett

Attendees of this edition of Robin’s Nest not only participated in a consciousness-raising evening, but were treated to the song stylings of genial, warm host Westle with “Robin’s Nest,” “Stop Time,” “You’ll Be In My Heart,” and her own composition, “Treasure.” Robin’s Nest director, Eric Michael Gillett, sang at the top of the bill, “The Kid Inside,” and was followed by a series of enthusiastic, committed performers: Kathleen Stuart singing “Yellow Shoes,” Eric Giancola with “Proud Of Your Boy,” Cookie Stark with “Here’s To Life,” and Brian Charles Rooney whose vocal gymnastics on “The Audition Medley” brought a host of celebrities to the stage via his incredible talent for mimicry. Rooney also sang “Finishing The Hat” in his own melodic tenor.

DSC_9300

Craig Schulman

Robin’s Nest headliner, Craig Schulman, the only man ever to have played all three leading roles in Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Jekyll and Hyde, sang “This Is The Moment, “Bring Him Home,” and “You Got Trouble,” in very fine voice and with great panache and enthusiasm. Music Director for the show was pianist Dan Furman, who had musical support from Tom Hubbard on bass and Jonathan Kantor on reeds.

Robin’s Nest – A Benefit for Helpusadopt.org, September 21, 7 PM

The Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, 212-352-3101, www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com

Photo Credit:Jason Russo www.heymrjason.com

DSC_9037

Robin with Eric Giancola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSC_9138 copy

Brian Charles Rooney

DSC_8992

Kathleen Stuart