By Marcia Blondin***When the small black ”Rage Box” was handed to me, along with a pen and a block of large yellow post-it notes, I looked at the question: ‘What enrages you?’ I thought for a minute, then another. I was assured that my answer would be confidential. I thought a second more, then wrote truthfully, ”Not a thing.” The Rage Box made the 
rounds among all the patrons at The Palm Cabaret in anticipation of Jack Alan Bartholet‘s show, blending Cabaret and Rage, hence the title CabaRAGE.
This cleverly written show brought a lot to the table, so to speak: anger about inequality and injustice against the gay community as a whole, when acceptance and tolerance should be the norm. We understand that in Vallarta, and I have to admit the show made me uncomfortable, only because I am not a gay man, but the crowd—I didn’t know anybody there, so I can safely say—the tourists in the audience, LOVED the show. Some of Bartholet’s song choices were hilarious: Noel Coward, so brilliant with ”Why Do the Wrong People Travel”? with a great video montage behind him and his Music Director, Trevor Pierce, at the piano and on backup vocals. Also brightening the stage was my fave percussionist, Mairead O’Grady.
Bartholet’s voice and energy are both clear and light. We spoke outside after the show for a few minutes, surrounded by so many New Yorkers: Mark Hartman, Brent Barrett, and his husband Bernie, and pianist Brett Rowe. Jack assured me he was not full of rage; he just wanted the freedom to take a quiet walk. Anywhere, anytime.
Nicolas King‘s new show, Short Kings, followed his friend, Jack’s, also at The Palm Cabaret. About midway through, King invited Barthholet to join him onstage for a duet, ”For Good,” from Wicked. It was obvious they had been friends for years. Mark Hartman gifted the packed house with his tremendous talent on the piano. As always, King shared lovely stories about his dear friend Liza Minnelli, with whom he spent 12 years on the road. He was sson to be flying home to NYC for her big 80th birthday party. King regaled us with tunes by Billy Joel, Sammy Davis Jr., Frankie Valli, Lorenz Hart, and more—and none of ’em over five-feet, five inches tall. My favorite was ”What Makes a Man,” a poignant song written by French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour.
Photos by Marcia Blondin
