By Scott Barbarino***Watching Camille Diamond perform is to be a stargazer … bright and steady… she shines! A recent Semi-Finalist in Mama’s Next Big Act and a 2019 Finalist in the Tomatoes Got Talent competition, her cabaret debut with Camille Diamond Over The Moon… on Pluto Transit was a complete success in every way!
Her press release set up the trajectory for us with “It’s been noted that the stranger things get in the world, the more people turn to astrology for answers. Over the Moon… is the story of what Camille discovered by looking into her own astrological chart in these strangest of times. With songs by Kander and Ebb, Carole King, Pete Mills, Kurt Weil, Stevie Wonder and more, the show is a universal look into the feelings and impulses that inspire and move us, and how the planets affect us all.”
Within that basic construct to work with, the song choices were spot on and fit seamlessly, telling and moving the show along perfectly. The opener was one of music director/pianist Steven Ray Watkins signature mash ups aptly called “Planets Mash Up” with “No Matter What Sign You Are” (Berry Gordy, Henry “Hank” Cosby), “Age of Aquarius” (Galt MacDermot, James Rado 
and Gerome Ragni) and “Interplanet Janet” (Lynn Aherns). The second number in gave Diamond the chance to wear her lyricist’s hat as she delivered a parody of “Roxie” from Chicago (John Kander, Fred Ebb), replacing “Roxie” with “Pluto,” which she performed with confidence, style and panache.
Some of the other music highlights I most appreciated were a brilliantly delivered “When October Goes” (Johnny Mercer, Barry Manilow), a classic “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” (Kurt Weil, Ogden Nash) and a poignant medley with a beautiful set-up of “Circle of Life” (Elton John, Tim Rice) and “A Child is Born” (Thad Jones, Alec Wilder).
This show has music to please children of all ages—and speaking of children we got a chance to see another new and upcoming performer: Diamond brought her daughter to the stage to join on “Happier than the Morning Sun” (Stevie Wonder), blending beautifully. Camille Diamond’s total style was completely uplifting and inspired, and by 
the end of the show this Sagittarian had indeed pulled back her bow and let her arrow fly, hitting her mark… bullseye!
Thank you director Lennie Watts, who with Watkins, in a continued collaboration has added yet another shining star to the cabaret firmament. Rthymic support from bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Don Kelly served the show well. Also kudos to Gian DiCostanzo the sound and light technician for a job very well done. The technical directors who take care of all the sound and light elements of a show are to often the unsung heroes of the cabaret world.
Photos by Conor Weiss
Note: The final show of this debut run takes place at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, November 19th, all at 6PM. Reservations are $25 plus a $20 minimum (must include two drinks). Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 W. 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan. For reservations, please visit donttellmamanyc.com, or call 212-757-0788(after 4:00PM).
