But the hit of the night, earning a partial-standing ovation (in a more upbeat year, the whole room would have reliably erupted), was Other Paper reporter Alisha Pina's delivery of a song sung from the point of view of an East Providence schoolgirl witnessing the public school meltdown to the tune of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." The combination of touching lyrics, moving tune (reminding one of the singular genius of the teenaged Carole King who wrote it), and Pina's great performance cut through the audience like a knife. The fact that the original hit was sung by Aretha Franklin, who Rolling Stone recently (and deservedly) called "the greatest singer of all time," didn't hurt. Anyone who can pull off a credible cover of an Aretha song has some great pipes and Pina met the challenge.
Another notable vocal performance from another longtime Follies vet was Steve Smith's take on Alice Cooper's "School's Out" (no explanation necessary for anyone who happened to be in the Biggest Little in December 2007).
This year's "Mystery Guest," a newsmaker who, at the end of the evening, has an opportunity to "give it back" to the nemesis press who has just spent an evening raking elected officials and other celebs over the coals, was Barney Frank. We were on Barney's turf (the Venus is in Swansea) and he dutifully thanked all the Vo Dilanduhs for coming out and spending their cash in the Commonwealth. Barney's brief remarks underscored his rep as the wittiest person in Congress.
Bravo to the Providence Newspaper Guild! In the face of great sorrow, the spirit that emanated from the stage at the Venus De Milo was an act of courage that greatly moved this audience member. And they promise the Follies will be back next year.
I'm a union man now, all the way.
IN THE RUNNING
Speaking of the Follies, there were nearly as many gubernatorial candidates on hand as bartenders, and they are becoming increasingly less bashful in letting their intentions be known.
Although P+J didn't run across Frank Caprio, we have no doubt that after seeing Victor Profughi's Quest Research poll that has him the current frontrunner among the Dems, he has all but started scoping out campaign headquarters (Caserta's Pizza?). Just behind him in the numbers is Patrick Lynch, who makes no bones about the fact he has his eyes on the prize. David Cicilline was making the rounds, but Little Chi-Chi is playing it close to the vest these days. Lynch and Cicilline are perhaps the most vulnerable of the candidates due to highly-publicized nasty turns, as Chi-Chi is finding out due to his brother's checks stamped "Goodyear," and when you are attorney general, it is always Anything-Can-Happen Day in Vo Dilun Disneyland.
Liz Roberts is also playing it cool, although if she doesn't run, your superior correspondents will be surprised and disappointed. P+J were also able to cadge a cocktail out of Linc and Stephanie Chafee, and while Linc's lips are sealed, we hear of a very intriguing possibility of an all-independent governor and lieutenant governor pairing that could be quite formidable if it takes shape. Stay tuned.
