Fabulous! An Opera Buffa by Laury A. Egan

Reviewer: Alan Chin

Publisher: Tiny Fox Press (sept. 2018)

Pages: 254

★★★

This novel begs the question: Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? And also: Be careful what you wish for. 

Gilbert Eugene Rose is a single, lonely drag queen who sings both cabaret and operatic numbers at a New York City nightclub. His drag name, Kiri De Uwana, is a takeoff from an opera diva because he has aspirations of one day becoming a star on the grand operatic stage. A psychic medium puts Gilbert’s love and career yearnings out into the universe, and within days Gil lands the lead role as a soprano in a production of Così fan tutte. Before Gil—or the reader—can catch his breath, Gil lands a tenor role across town in Rigoletto. To top it off, he is also hired to sing Handel arias at a notorious gangster’s private home. But the fun really begins when it seems everyone Gil meets—men and women—wants to become romantically involved with him. 

Thus begins a campy, rapid-fire juggling act that gets quirkier and funnier as the pages turn. 

Just as Gil seems to have everything in hand, he realizes that getting involved with a gangster may not have been his shrewdest move. Suddenly, Gil turns from reaching for the stars to running for his life.

Well written prose. Snappy dialogue. Delightful characters. Fiendishly inventive. And ultimately profound. Laury A. Egan has written an utterly enchanting book about reaching a bit too far. It’s the kind of light, entertaining read that lends itself well to summer, to a breezy day at the beach. 

Palm Springs Workshop Dinner

Holiday dining with Dan at one of our favorites in Palm Springs. The food and company were exceptional tonight.

Braised pork cheek fries in a curry sauce

Octopus carpaccio

Lamb neck tangine with Israeli couscous, and Dan’s pork chop

 

Not sure what this was

Dan at the impressive bar

Cabaret 88 Concert Series in Palm Springs

Tonight LA came to the desert. Julie Garnye and Michael Sobie were amazing in the first first of three shows at the Cabaret 88 concert series in Palm Springs.

Julie Garnye is an actress, singer, voiceover artist, writer and director. She can currently be seen in the first National Gour of the Broadway sensation, Come From Away. 

Michsel Sobie is an award-winning pianist with credits encompassing film, television, and stage productions.

Thanks to our host, Dan Kitowski for a wonderful night of food, wine, and entertainment. We loved it.