Cruisin' for a Cabaret
At the intimate Canal Café Theatre, Cruisin' for a Cabaret, produced by Posnertivity Productions, delivered an enjoyable evening celebrating some of musical theatre's most feel good songs. The venue proved to be the perfect setting, allowing the audience to feel closely connected to each performer and creating the relaxed, cabaret atmosphere the show was aiming for.
Producer Corinne Posner not only brought the production together but also took to the stage herself, demonstrating both her passion for the project and her own performance ability.
Nadya Lee brought charm and confidence to Freddy, My Love. Her characterisation was engaging throughout, capturing the playful spirit of the song and keeping the audience invested from beginning to end. Chelsea Mooney delivered a beautifully controlled rendition of There Are Worse Things I Could Do. Her pure vocal tone and effortless delivery made for one of the evening's most emotionally engaging performances, allowing the song's vulnerability to shine through without feeling overplayed.
One of the standout performances came from Emma Knudsen with Good Morning Baltimore. Possessing a warm, authentic musical theatre voice, Knudsen commanded the stage with remarkable ease. She didn't rely on elaborate choreography or excessive movement; instead, her natural stage presence and vocal confidence were more than enough to captivate the audience.
Producer Corinne Posner also impressed with Look at Me, combining strong vocals with confident character work. Her commitment to the performance was evident, making it one of the most enjoyable numbers of the night.
Josilyn Jeneevah Campbell's performance of Falling for You showed promise, although it felt as though she was holding back. The song never quite reached its emotional potential, with a lack of full committed. Later, Campbell returned alongside Thomas George for Make It Stop, and although the harmonies were solid, unfortunately the duet lacked chemistry. The performance felt awkward at times, resulting in a number that struggled to flow naturally.
However, the evening reached another high point with Emily Lander's performance of Holding Out for a Hero. Her powerhouse vocals brought the house to life, delivering the song with confidence and infectious energy. It was an exhilarating performance and a highlight to the cabaret.
While not every performance landed equally, Cruisin' for a Cabaret succeeded in creating an enjoyable evening that celebrated the joy of musical theatre. The intimate setting encouraged a genuine connection between performers and audience, and the variety of repertoire ensured there was something for everyone.
Theatre: Canal Cafe Theatre
Reviewer: Em Davison
Date: 14/06/2026
Stars: 3
