Starring: Kathy Nugent
Kathy Nugent ignites the stage in a one-night-only variety performance Best of Broadway, presented in the main space of the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum. A celebrated Dublin-born performer with international credits including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Monte Carlo, Spain, the US, and France, Nugent returns home for a momentous two-hour cabaret experience.
The performance featured not only Broadway classics—from Cabaret, Carousel, Les Misérables, and Funny Girl—but also songs from the screen, including Eurovision hits and iconic Bond anthems. As the audience entered, the stage was vibrantly lit, revealing a simple yet effective setup: keys, drums, and bass arranged in the background, a central microphone with a side table for water, and a bar stool on either side. The scene set an intimate and inviting tone for the evening.
Nugent delivered a heartfelt two-hour set, supported by a polished three-piece band. The musicians played with remarkable ease, never once appearing fatigued while accompanying works by legends such as Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Schönberg, and Styne. At times, Nugent’s elating presence seemed to summon the spirits of bygone musical eras, who—one might imagine—perched upon the bar stools in silent, joyful approval.
Her stage presence was undeniable, with each number performed in a voice marked by warmth, brightness, and emotional nuance—a tonal quality that truly felt like a balm to the senses. Although the performance took place in a traditional theatre space, Nugent often moved into the apron, dissolving the formality and creating a more relaxed, cabaret-style atmosphere. She engaged the audience throughout, greeting both familiar and new faces with charm and humility.
The evening was inclusive and vibrant, with Nugent encouraging audience participation in crowd-pleasing anthems like Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and New York, New York. These moments sparked communal singing, head-swaying, and foot-tapping, all met with rapturous applause after every number. A strong air of nostalgia permeated the performance, yet Nugent’s interpretations felt grounded in the present—bringing these beloved songs to life with a blend of strength, tenderness, and heartfelt sincerity.
One suggestion for future performances might be a more intentional pacing of the setlist. Opening with bold numbers like Maybe This Time and Cabaret set a high-energy tone, but the transition to gentler Carousel classics felt slightly abrupt. A more gradual shift in tempo could strengthen the show’s overall emotional arc.
Nonetheless, this was a thoroughly delightful night of musical entertainment from powerhouse Kathy Nugent, with stand-out renditions of This Is the Moment and a breathtaking finale of Bring Him Home—a performance that earned every bit of its standing ovation.
Reviewed 30th May 2025.
