If you missed it, you missed an enjoyable evening, overall. Although I volunteer for the Cultural Trust, I'm not just going to give them a pass on everything ... so here's my take.
Overall, a "B/B+" I think.
If you just looked at the performance, I say a "B". Christian Hoff was good, not great. The show was a little long in my opinion, but the music was good. Mr. Hoff performed a wide variety of tunes, some I enjoyed a great deal, some not so much. Musically, he really showed his range.
Some of his stories were good, but tended to drag on and I think this was what dragged the show down some. A little peppier on the monologues and this show would have been a solid "A" for sure. I suspect the size of the audience threw him just a little bit.
I give the Cultural Trust an "A". Biased you say ... but take a look at what has happened.
Two years ago there few events and they were held all over the community.
Last year the Jazz Festival was truly the only event held on the Trust's "home turf".
This year that has all changed. All the events will be held on the Trust's site. Yes, right now it is just a tent ... but a big tent ... 8,200 square feet. Yes, it could get warm inside. In fact, some patrons were uncomfortable inside the tent on Saturday. I am sure the Trust will get this corrected.
So let me ask a simple question ... When was the last time you could go and see a Cabaret (night club) show in Palm Beach County?
With a Tony Award winner, no less.
Who took a night off his hit Broadway show to be here.
The answer ... Not in the Kravis Center and its beautiful building(s).
But in Wellington and in a tent.
Just for that, the Cultural Trust deserves an A. The fact the show was sold out gets them an A+.
The Cabaret Series continues with great performers such as Christine Ebersole (another Tony Award winner), Jason Graae and Jon Tartaglia (who will perform one show for children and another for adults).
With a community literature event, a comedy series, Second City, the Jazz Festival and the Biennale yet to come, this will be an exciting season.
Enough on programming, let's take a look at the venue.
Yes, the event was held in a tent.
For some it may have been warm inside and some additional ventilation would have been appreciated. I certainly didn't expect 80 degree weather in January and I'm sure neither did the Cultural Trust. Overall it really didn't get that warm inside, in my opinion. And I'm a big guy and know when it gets warm somewhere.
The caterers were pretty good and looked professional. The prices weren't so bad you wanted to run away ... about the same as any other performance or sports event. The food was pretty tasty.
There is one thing that when the weather is good everyone complains about, but when it’s raining they really appreciate ... valet parking. This was a great touch and I don't think anyone waited much more than 15 minutes at the end of the show for their car. Pretty well run if you ask me. And if the weather turns wet, valet parking has a covered area to protect the patrons from the elements.
The bottom line is this ... the Cultural Trust's third season will be held on its own site. A clear tribute to them and the Village of Wellington staff and council for making sure this can happen. We should be applauding all of them. A standing ovation, in fact.
This weekend a musical is on tap. It's called "The Musical of Musicals, the Musical". And it's coming directly from the York Theater in New York. It will be a rousing good time. Get your tickets now ... this will probably be sold out as well.
I'll see you there!