The Skylight Opera Theatre has brought an old musical tradition back to life in Milwaukee and given the Skylight Bar a new jazz inspired concept any thespian would enjoy with "And All That Jazz" — part of their weekend Cabaret Series.

Becky Spice and Jamie Johns packed the Skylight Bar, located on the second floor of the theatre, to the walls and performed a cross generational mix of popular standards and Broadway favorites while wine glasses clinked and theatre-goers smiled and even occasionally sang along.

"Sometimes we do a themed show," Spice said in a singsong voice between songs as Johns' fingers jumped along the ivories. "Like a Cole Porter night!" And with that she began belting the 1938 Porter classic, "My Heart Belongs to Daddy."

She crooned and wiggled her way across the small stage as her raspy voice slid down Johns' glissandos on the piano.

Spice, a Skylight veteran who has worked with other area theaters including Milwaukee and Madison Repertory Theatres, has a voice that is undoubtedly trained and dominating, while Johns' fingers make up for anything he lacks.

"But tonight," Spice began again while Johns chuckled at her ability to talk and tell stories during almost every song "we like to call it an 'eclectic mix."

One of the duo's favorite things to do is take two unrelated songs and combine them into one adapted piece.

Johns, also the music director at Skylight, turned his head to the crowd and joked how some of them don't work out well, but they perform them anyway. Judging from the attitude of the audience, the crowd interaction and cheesy joking seem to be entertaining for some but too much for others.

Their song adaptations and eclectic set list for the evening seemed to mirror the idea behind the production that just ended downstairs in the Cabot Theatre.

"A Water Bird Talk & Gianni Schicchi" are two unrelated, one act comedy operas combined into one evening performance.

In short, "And All That Jazz" is a cabaret show of trained theatre professionals who perform over the top theatrical renditions of classic love songs and Broadway favorites.

Aside from the fact that Spice has overtly dominant vocal capability, Spice and Johns have great chemistry and create an entertaining show.

Grade: B

The Skylight Theatre is located at 158 N. Broadway. More information on the Cabaret Series is available by calling the Broadway Theatre Center box office at (414) 291-7800 or by visiting, www.skylightopera.com. Cabaret performances are free to the public.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 17 2005.