Thirteen years and about $130,000 ago, Ray Leggiero and some local entertainers had an idea to raise money for The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation.
“We started with a small gala to raise a little money,” Leggiero said Saturday before a packed crowd at Savannah Center.
The gala eventually turned into an annual “Cabaret” production that showcases the top talent in The Villages. It has raised more than $130,000, Leggiero said.
“We couldn’t do it without them, and we can’t do it without you,” Leggiero told the audience. “Thank you for all your support.”
The Cabaret offered a variety of performances, ranging from Dixieland to Opera, Broadway to Doo-Wop, and comedy reminiscent of Carol Burnett and George Carlin.
Billie Thatcher kicked off the 90-minute show in rousing style with a spirited version of “Ring Them Bells,” originally done by Liza Minelli.
Thatcher has appeared at every “Cabaret” since it started and she usually opens the show to set the tone for the evening. And she did just that with her exuberant style and energetic stage presence.
“Billie was with us in the beginning,” Leggiero said. “She is The Villages’ No. 1 sweetheart.”
Leggiero, the master of ceremonies, took on the role of singer on “My Way.” Chris Bolus, another singer with a Frank Sinatra passion, offered a solemn but powerful cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Jan Lavin displayed her classy style and ability to interpret a lyric on “Is That All There Is?”
Harmonica master Phil Caltabellotta flashed his versatility on a couple of numbers. He played some swinging, Dixieland-flavored jazz on “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.” Then, in a remarkable reversal, Caltabellotta turned to classical music with a selection from “The Barber of Seville.”
Larry Rivellese is known for his operatic vocals and sang on national television during an appearance with Steve Harvey.
“Larry looks a lot different; he lost 50 pounds,” Leggiero said.
The weight may be down, but Rivellese’s voice is as strong as ever. During the first half of the show, he sang “E lucevan le stelle” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Tosca.” This is a complicated composition but Rivellese handled it with flawless skill.
Shirley Martin generates smiles and she was wallowing in humor with a broad takeoff of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind.” Martin was inspired by Carol Burnett, wearing a green curtain, with a curtain rod across her shoulders, as Miss Scarlett’s dress.
Leggiero, sporting a red cowboy hat, played the role of Rhett Butler, and Leggiero and Martin provided plenty of laughs.
Barbara Hanberry and Charles Snyder, known as the duo Fine Tuned, joined forces on a doo-wop sounding number, “Tonight Could Be the Night.”
Diana Arlt brought some gentle longing, to “Someone Like You.” Joe Beddia cracked up the audience with his takeoff on George Carlin and The Godfather. And Mike Petix was in vintage form on the bongos and supplied percussion for many singers.
Tony Violanti is a veteran journalist and writes for Villages-News.com.
