By John Amodeo***“There are as many different ways to sing as there are singers,” says MAC Award winner and Broadway star David Sabella, as he waxes eloquent on his venture, Bella Vox, a fairly new 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation (founded in 2024) devoted to promoting the art of singing through education and performance. “What does it mean to have a beautiful voice?” asks Sabella. “It’s not just about the sound 
of your voice, your technique…Ii’s about interpretation and expression. If it’s only about technique, it’s not enough.”
For many years, Sabella lived and performed in Puerto Vallarta (PV). He invested even more of himself into the cabaret scene when, in 2024, he became General Manager of Act2PV, one of PV’s premier performing arts venues. Once on board, he booked a Broadway and cabaret series throughout the winter/spring 2025 season. But while Sabella found the performance series quite fulfilling, he was even more excited about the workshops, seminars and master classes he produced—and out of that revelation grew the future of Bella Vox.
But as Bella Vox evolved, it outgrew Act2PV and even, to some extent, PV. Bella Vox now reaches to New York City, Chicago, Florida, California and Canada. “We will go anywhere we are wanted and needed,” Sabella declares. The evolution of Bella Vox necessarily brought some changes: Sabella no longer lives full time in PV but will instead be in Vallarta this season through March 29. “I’ll be in NYC 
more than PV now,” he notes. “I’m also newly married, and I want to be home [in NYC] more.” A possible return to PV in May or June is still under consideration. “I want to do a whole seminar in PV, like what used to happen with Broadway Theater Workshop,” Sabella says with excitement. “It would be a whole 3-to-4-week intensive vocal workshop. Bringing the experience to PV would be important to me.”
Sabella is also excited about this PV season’s Bella Vox Performance Series, which now has its new home in The Palm Cabaret and Bar. “When I left Act2, I no longer had a venue,” he explains. “I asked Mark Rome at the Palm if he could accommodate my programming. They paid close attention to what I was doing at Act2 last year, and they were happy to have me bring this to the Palm.”
The series will feature some returning performers from last year, along with some new faces. On December 29 and January 4, Broadway’s Karen Mason returns with Broadway Baby! “Karen was a no-brainer,” he says. “She sold out last year, and she has been a huge advocate of the Foundation. She really gets what we are trying to do.” Stephanie Pope follows on January 14 and 18. “She’s a friend of mine from my Chicago days,” Sabella notes. “A
nd she is doing a dance workshop, which will be an awesome addition to our programming. Every performing artist will be giving a master class, workshop or seminar. Also, Chicago will be performing at Act2, so I’m hoping that everyone in that cast will come to this Broadway dance master class.”
Newcomer, Ava Nicole Frances, an American Idol alum, performs on January 23. “She wasn’t on my radar, but Sue Matsuki recommended her,” Sabella reports. “Then I went to her show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre [in NYC]. She’s the whole package. She’s 21, youthful and will draw a great crowd.” Fan favorite Marieann Maringolo will perform a Valentine’s Day-themed show on February 11 and 15. “This can be a show for the ladies of the LGBTQ community,” he notes. “PV doesn’t have a lot for the Lesbian community, otherwise.” Broadway conductor, arranger, composer and author David Friedman will accompany local singers singing his songs with him at the piano, sharing stories behind the songs on March 15. He will also give a Thought Exchange workshop March 9-14.
“We had a lot of gentlemen of a certain age asking, ‘Where’s Sam Hiarris?’, so I knew he would be a draw,” adds Sabella. Harris will perform on March 26 and 29. “When I opened in Chicago, he was starring in The Life, and I used to warm up to his CD every night.” Sabella himself will perform his Peter Allen tribute show, Unlike Any Other Man, date TBA. “Lorna Luft was the reason I did a Peter Allen show,” he reveals. “She gave me all his charts. Many of the arrangements are as he did them, some are new.”
Sabella reflects on Bella Vox’s broader mission, reaching beyond Puerto Vallarta. “I’m very happy with how it’s unfolding,” he says. “Especially with the way things are going in the States; we need the arts now more than ever.”
For more information and to make reservations at The Palm Cabaret, click here.
