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| By Lori O'Brien Correspondent WESTFIELD Cabaret is coming to the city. Gianpaolo Sesti, owner of Piccolo's Ristorante at 110 Elm St., will begin offering The Shows at Piccolo's next month, a series of performances featuring the best cabaret artists from New York City and Boston. Sesti said during a recent interview at the restaurant that he hopes the unique project will bring area residents downtown where they can enjoy dinner, drinks and top-notch entertainment. As Sesti puts it, he's invested his life into the restaurant and is excited about the new venture he described as "an evening event." Sesti has hired Westfield resident Bob Plasse no stranger to the theatre as the producing manager for The Shows at Piccolo's. By day, Plasse is a professor at Holyoke Community College but his first love is the theatre. Sesti and Plasse met at a local benefit earlier this year and Sesti had described space in his restaurant that could be utilized for entertainment. Sesti and Plasse developed the cabaret idea and since then have been working out the logistics at a fast pace to ensure the project could start by summer. During a tour last week of the soon-to-be opened theatre, Plasse pointed out the painted walls that surround the theatre's entrance inside Piccolo's Lounge which are reminiscent of sidewalks in Italy. Sesti said he wanted to capture that flavor because of his proud heritage he moved to the United States from Italy in 1989. The theatre features the traditional cabaret stage with baby grand piano, several front row table seatings, and 50 theatre-style chairs. The stage is backed by long navy curtains, complemented by blue and silver wallcoverings. Theatrical lighting is also in place and strategically illuminates the stage and the ornate tin ceilings. "It's a perfect room for cabaret," said Plasse, explaining that most cabaret settings are intimate which allows the audience to get to know the performer on a one-to-one basis. The baby grand piano and floral arrangements provide a sophisticated touch, he added. Plasse also said that because the tables are located just in front of the stage that part of the audience can also become a part of the act. In the coming months, The Shows at Piccolo's will also be supplemented with themed events including a Halloween Costume Party and a New Year's Eve celebration. Nonprofit organizations in the city interested in conducting benefit shows are also welcome to inquire about rates with Sesti. Both Sesti and Plasse are optimistic that The Shows at Piccolo's will be a success because this type of show is not being offered at other venues in this area. "The acts are high quality and it is a new concept for this area," said Plasse. What makes cabaret unique, according to Plasse, is "A cabaret performance can make an audience laugh and cry." Cabaret artists are also famous for adding "patter" in between that weaves songs and stories together. Most cabaret performers are joined by musicians, all well-known accompanists from New York City and the Boston area. Performances will run on alternate Fridays and Saturdays beginning July 22-23. All performances begin at 8:30 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes with one intermission. International cabaret artist Linda Mironti opens the series on July 22-23 with a show titled "Do It Again!" Mironti sings pop, jazz, blues, gospel and Neopolitan songs plus she's funny and spontaneous, according to Plasse. Mironti will be accompanied by Bobby Peaco. An evening of songs of Richard Rodgers, sung by Brian DeLorenzo with accompaniment by Jim Rice, will be featured Aug. 5-6. Upcoming cabaret dates also include Aug. 19-20 (show details being finalized at press time), and Sept. 16-17, Marianne Challis presents "Hold Me! Thrill Me! Kiss Me! Continuing Confessions of a Middle-Aged Party Girl!" Also, on Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Frank Fontana stars in "Natural Jazz," accompanied by Wells Hanley, and Oct. 14-15, the Northern Lights Band presents "New Moon," an evening of Gershwin, folk, jazz and bluegrass tunes. A Halloween Howls: A Costume Party is planned Oct. 28-29 featuring Tom LaMark, a.k.a., "The First Lady of Boston Cabaret," and on Nov. 4-5, Tom Anderson performs. On Nov 18-19, Lisa Asher presents Live at Piccolo's with Jeffrey Waxman, and a special holiday schedule is planned with shows on Dec. 2-3, 16-17 and New Year's Eve. Tickets are $24.50 which includes a choice of one cocktail or beverage and $29.50 for stageside tables (including a choice of one cocktail or beverage). For reservations for dinner and/or shows, call (413) 572-1433. |