REVIEW: Cincinnati ROCKtails!
Queen City Cabaret Brings Authentic Charm and Big Talent to The Carnegie
Queen City Cabaret’s Cincinnati ROCKtails! is exactly what you hope for in a live show: endearing, energetic, and absolutely packed with talent. Led by the charming duo of Sarah Folsom and Matthew Umphreys, their style just a little bit of cheesy — but it’s the good kind. The kind that’s authentic, unforced, and makes you feel like you’re in on something special. It also doesn’t hurt that both are supremely talented artists, with Folsom’s vocal ability making the case for her day job: she’s an Assistant Professor-Educator of Musical Theatre Voice at UC-CCM.
That connection to CCM helped fuel the evening’s success. Three current students — Carter Minor, Erin Morton, and Jordyn Jones — delivered performances that were anything but amateur. Minor’s smooth vocals on "Fever" impressed, but it was his showmanship on the opening number that really made him stand out. Morton, already a viral sensation for her take on Creep, brought surprising inventiveness to James Brown’s "I Feel Good" and delivered an awe-inspiring rendition of "96 Tears." And then there’s Jordyn Jones, whose star quality is undeniable. She brought a coolness and vibrancy to "Steam Heat" that you could feel in the room. Together, the trio made a medley of hits from The Deele sound fresh and modern.
Bex Odorisio, currently preparing for the world premiere of Mrs. Dalloway at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, added another layer of polish to the evening. An international touring artist with credits like Hadestown and the international tour of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Bex’s experience and presence elevated the already high-caliber performances.
One of the night's most delightful surprises came from the two mixologists who originally founded ROCKtails, a mixology company that provides bar service as well as a book of Cincinnati themed cocktails. Maya Banatwala’s performance of "Sway" and Kristen Kreft’s version of Nina Simone’s "Do I Move You?" proved that their talents go well beyond the bar. And speaking of pleasant surprises, bassist Sophia Troyer stepped out from behind her instrument to deliver a beautiful, heartfelt take on "Dream a Little Dream."
The band — Brian Malone (drums), Niko Kordalis (guitar), and Troyer on bass — provided a solid, stylish foundation all evening long, matching the vocalists’ versatility and energy with ease.
Still, at its heart, this show belongs to Folsom and Umphreys. They’re generous collaborators, giving their guest artists plenty of room to shine, but it’s their foundation that keeps the entire experience grounded and cohesive. Folsom’s ability to move effortlessly from a tender ballad like "I’m Glad There is You" (underscored by gorgeous piano work from Umphreys) to the full-throttle joy of "Shout" is masterful — and they bring the audience along for every moment, making the journey feel natural, comfortable, and above all, fun.
Queen City Cabaret is another amazing addition to The Carnegie’s stellar lineup of performances. To find out more, visit QueenCityCabaretCincy.com and TheCarnegie.com.