“The Greatest Love For Whitney”: A Whitney Houston Tribute- reviewed by Amy Menzel

[rating=5]All it took was hearing the first line…

If I should stay…

I had goosebumps.

And I say, “all it took,” as if it was simple. Simple to channel the voice of one of the most iconic performers of all time. Simple to stand in such unassuming power on a cabaret stage. Simple to design lighting that enhances such an incredible moment. Simple to hit the mark from the first note – and for that first note to sweep an entire audience back in time through a tunnel of nostalgia.

Truly none of this is simple, but The Rep makes it seem so. Creator and Artistic Director Mark Clements demonstrates his savvy feel for composing a cabaret show that ebbs and flows in satisfying ways. My goosebumps gave way to tears at times (during “When You Believe,” from the movie The Prince of Egypt and “I Believe in You and Me” from The Preacher’s Wife) . Then the goosebumps came back (the second act opens with the full rendition of “I Will Always Love You”). Then I was clapping (and sometimes singing) along a number or two later (because, well, “I’m Every Woman”).

Three performers share their extraordinary talents in this production and two perform each night. Tuesday night’s performance featured Alina Cherone and Charlotte Odusanya, both of whom are awe-inspiring in their sincerity and their sound. Their repartee is natural and engaging, and Odusanya’s easy banter with a somewhat restrained weekday audience was playful and welcoming. The vocalists are accompanied by Music Director Dan Kazemi whose dynamics are noteworthy and who obviously enjoys this show as much as the rest of us. Which is to say, thoroughly.

Even a fairly subdued Tuesday night crowd found themselves on their feet and dancing and singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” It’s that fun – you want to play along. Luckily, you can!

★★★★★

The Greatest Love for Whitney: a Whitney Houston Tribute playing now through May 28 at the Milwaukee Rep’s Stackner Cabaret theater.

Tuesdays-Thursdays – 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday, May 16 – 6:30 p.m.)
Fridays – 8 p.m.
Saturdays – 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sundays – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The show runs 90 minutes including one intermission. A specific performer schedule can be found at milwaukeerep.com.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at milwaukeerep.com.

This is a cabaret type of venue with a solid menu and great drinks.