Alan Cancelino: Press

Fresh, fast, fun and funny, a modern version of the intimate topical musical reviews that lit up New York’s nightlife in grander days, What’s the Point? is a must-be-there destination for cabaret-goers. Cancelino’s music served the amusing lyrics, in a range of appropriate styles—the sprightly “That’s Why We Love The Zoo” could have been lifted straight from a 1950s variety show, complete with charming choreography executed by Coris and Garrigan; “E.Harmony-Dot-Com” sported humorous Fred Waring harmonies; and the Latin-inflected “Telenovela” hit exactly the right note.

Collette Black directed briskly, and if she’s the one who thought of a physical joke during a love song to a flight attendant, she’s got a good eye. That song, by the way, has a memorable melody, which doesn’t happen often in revues. But composer Alan Cancelino shows, like Franklin Shepard, he’s ready to ink (and Inc.) himself a Broadway show contract.

The right music married to funny lyrics is crucial. It can’t be just serviceable or upstage or work against the timing of the jokes, and composer Alan Cancelino gets it, providing appealing melodies and can pour out pastiche when called for. The styles of music are varied, with musical comedy razzamatazz, bounce, crispness, and a bit of that knowingly works against type-- the words are caustic and complaining and the music stay country corn with a plaintive twang.

Fresh, fast, fun and funny, a modern version of the intimate topical musical reviews that lit up New York’s nightlife in grander days, What’s the Point? is a must-be-there destination for cabaret-goers

Hector Coris and Alan Cancelino give the ailing form of "topical musical revue" a shot in the arm with their new show "What's the Point? .