(OUTview NW) Cabaret RE-view: Artswest's AFTER HOURS Cabaret Series is Back and Better than Ever!

Jaeger (as Ethel) Returned to Artswest

by MK Scott

ArtsWest's After Hours Cabaret series was such a huge hit this past August, the West Seattle Playhouse decided to bring it back as a Special Holiday edition.

Last time AWP's Artistic director (and Gorgeous), Mathew Wright introduced some of the top ladies of the Seattle Musical Theater who he chatted with in a talk show format with occasional performance rolled in. Last summer, we attended the one with Seattle darling, Jessica Skerritt (Tom's Niece) who dazzled the audience and we got to see the person behind the actress.

So, this past Monday was the debut of the new series with nearly 2 acts devoted to its guest with Wright as more of an Emcee than Host.

The guest this week was the hilarious, Kate Jaeger, who was nominated for a Gregory for her  portrayal of Ethel Merman in Judy's Scary Christmas. Speaking of Jaeger, she even co-hosted the Gregorys this past month and showed her range as a singer and actress.


In Act One, Jaeger came out in a Santa dress with a black tutu underneath and sang several Holiday classics from 'O Holy Night' to Let it Snow'.

In the action packed, 2nd Act, Wright led in a game of Mad Libs and got from the audience the extra words need to complete a song that Jaeger who be sing. Jaeger comes out in the same green dress she wore as Ethel Merman and sings 'Let it Snow' again, this time using the Mad Lib words. Super Funny!

One of the funniest moments was when Jaeger recited a monologue using the words of Christmas songs, 'What CHILD is THIS?' was Incredible!

The Gayest moment was when Jaeger (as Ethel) performed her big number from 'Judy' along with a surprise appearance by 2 out of the 3 chorus boys from last year's 'Judy' comes out in Grass skirts (and little else). Both Joel Domenico and Bo Mellinger are from Robbie Turner's Revue and Domenco is also currently in Ham for the Holidays..

There only 2 more Cabarets left,  Mon, 12/14 is a Trifecta with Skerritt returning, along with Fredrick Hargreen (American Idiot) and Sarah Rose Davis. On Tuesday, 12/22, is The Family Eisendrath. 

Click HERE for Tix for 12/14 or Click HERE for 12/22.