For years, my friend Mark Evanier talked up a performer named Frank Ferrante, who toured with a Groucho Marx tribute in which he perfectly embodied the great comedian. When a filmed version of that show aired on PBS last year, I reviewed it here.
These days, Frank is busy as a member of the cast of “Luminaire,” an extravaganza at Cabaret ZaZou on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel in Chicago. He plays Forte, who appears at various times throughout the show as comic relief. The other performers include: the best contortionist I’ve ever seen, Ulzii Mergen, who somehow makes it look like her feet have minds of their own as she bends and twists in remarkable ways; her husband, Viktor Kee, a top-notch juggler; and Cornelius Atkinson, an aerialist who hangs from straps dropped from the ceiling as he flies above the audience.
I had never seen anyone perform as both a vocalist and aerialist simultaneously until Liv Warfield, one of two powerhouse singers in “Luminaire” (along with James Harkness, one of the original stars of “Ain’t Too Proud” on Broadway). I first saw Warfield in 2014 when she performed “Black Bird” on David Letterman’s show and blew the roof off the place. She’s no less impressive at Cabaret ZaZou, including a version of “At Last” to rival Etta James’ original.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see two other members of the cast, Isis Clegg-Vinell and Nathan Price, who (I’ve read) do a dazzling roller-skating act on the small raised stage in the middle of the room and team with Atkinson for a trapeze act that wowed the judges on “Britain’s Got Talent” last year.
As for Frank, one of his strengths is knowing which audience members to interact with or bring up on stage. He’s done crowd work for decades in character as Groucho. In “Luminaire,” he comes out in a bellhop’s uniform as Forte before the show has officially started, walks around to each of the tables, pouring water in glasses and casually conversing with the customers for a minute or two. In doing so, he quickly learns who’s shy, who’s outgoing, and who it might be fun to engage with in front of the crowd. Then he relies on his quick wit and long stage experience to improvise moments both hilarious and heartwarming.
There’s more to the Cabaret ZaZou experience than the talented performers and the beautiful venue in which it takes place. There’s also a four-course meal served between acts, but there’s never a lull in the entertainment, thanks to a tight five-piece band that plays throughout the three-hour experience.