Leanne Borghesi, Marta Sanders

 

 

By Sandi Durell

 

What happens when you put two belters on a stage together . . . one a little older, the other a little younger? It’s the battle of the broads! The claws and feathers are flying! Well, not really, although the theme created was anything you can do, I can do better! And louder and longer.

Who am I talking about . . . Marta Sanders, a nightclub and cabaret veteran who also made her way onto Broadway in Best Little Whorehouse . . . and the be-feathered, larger than life cabaret dynamo Leanne Borghesi. It’s an explosion of talent, natural comedic skill, clever patter and super duper voices that soar.

The house was packed at Birdland on November 17, for the nightclub duel, the audience primed and ready and there wasn’t a disappointing moment, the song choices showing off the assets with boas galore, brawn and bawdy brassy bravura.

 

Marta Sanders

 

From duets like “Use What You Got” (Cy Coleman/Ira Gassman – The Life) to a touching “Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell) – yes, they slowed down the race for emotional moments. Clever interludes of patter and song setups were written by Nathan Cann, Leanne and Marta with direction by Nicolas Minas. It’s like, or could and should be, a mini-musical theater piece. Lest we forget, choreography by Pin Van Amerongen.

Each had their solo turn, examples –Leanne “I’m The Greatest Star” (Jule Styne – Funny Girl), “Feminine Mystique” (Dana P. Rowe/John Dempsey – Witches of Eastwick), a dramatic ballad arrangement by Dana P. Rowe of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” (Jule Styne – Funny Girl) —

Marta: “Before The Parade Passes By” (Jerry Herman –Hello,Dolly), “Besame Mucho” (Consuelo Velazquez), sung in English and Spanish, “She’s a Star” (Serge Lama – La Chanteuse a Vingt Ans).

 

Leanne Borghesi

 

And, in Las Vegas style wearing feathered headdress, the two wowed with “Bosom Buddies/ Friendship” (Jerry Herman – Mame/Cole Porter – Anything Goes) as the ShowBroads concluded their evening to unending applause and standing ovations!

The band showed off Dana P. Rowe on piano, musically directing and doing the arrangements. Don Kelly on drums, Jim Piela on brass/winds and Jamie Mohamdein on bass rounding out the top notch musicians.

When are you coming back ShowBroads?

 

Photos: Helane Blumfield