Arnaldo at the National Capital Cabaret Festival

Arnaldo, Drag Chanteuse, took the stage in the inaugural National Capital Cabaret Festival in an auburn wig and sparkly overdress and launched into “Diamonds Are Forever” followed by a tender “The Nearness of You,” and then a bit of specialty material “Arnaldo” clarifying the performer’s name. (This was especially amusing as Ann Kitterege had called the act “Renaldo” the night before.) The program continued with a well-curated selection of chanteuse hits. Moreover, Arnoldo had an international approach with the material in the show, including songs in Spanish (“Angelitos Negros”), Tagalog (“Warai-Warai”), and even a Japanese (“C’mon a My House”).

Music director Howard Breitbart provided his usual sensitive accompaniment, and guest artist Leah Kolb covered a costume change with a sensitive version of “Stars & the Moon.”

• Diamonds are Forever
• The Nearness of You
• Arnaldo
• Old Friends/Old Friend
• C’Est Si Bon
• Peel Me a Grape
• Hymne á l”Amour
• I Wanna Be Evil
• Dindi
• Waray-Waray
• Something Cool
• C’mona My House
• Angelitos Negros
• Stars & the Moon (sung by Leah Kolb)
• She’s Got You
• Where Have all the Flowers Gone/Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Here’s my Cabaret Scenes review.

Arnaldo is also the driving force behind the thriving Seattle Cabaret Festival in the “other” Washington.