I met with Cranston’s Maria Tavarozzi and Warren’s Wayne Patenaude at Dunkin Donuts, talking about their upcoming Cabaret-style show, “Broadway and Beyond” at the Greenwich Odeum on November …
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I met with Cranston’s Maria Tavarozzi and Warren’s Wayne Patenaude at Dunkin Donuts, talking about their upcoming Cabaret-style show, “Broadway and Beyond” at the Greenwich Odeum on November 21.
“Are you somebody famous?” a young lady overhearing us at the next table asked.
“Well, maybe in Rhode Island,” Patenaude replied.
And indeed, the two are quite well known in the entertainment community.
Maria has performed at various venues and with a variety of entertainers around the state, including Barker Playhouse, City Nights, The Granite Theatre, the Musical Revue, “The Two of Hearts” and various theatres in Massachusetts. After a brief hiatus, the East Greenwich teacher is continuing her 20 years in show business. She got her start in junior high, where she participated in the choir and played the flute in the orchestra.
“Maria came to see me in a show and said that she would love to work with me,” Wayne said. “She joined my church choir, and we started doing some things together. We call ourselves ‘Musically Yours,’ and ‘Broadway and Beyond’ is our first big gig.”
“We chose the Greenwich Odeum because it is a wonderful venue that is on its way back. The volunteers running the theatre are working so hard and we wanted to support them,” Maria said.
The cabaret-style show will feature songs from Broadway, plus swing and old standards.
“There’s some comedy, novelty numbers and audience participation. It will be lots of fun,” Maria said.
Joining them will be keyboard player Diane Gualtieri and percussionist Karen Mellor, who are part of the popular Rhode Island group, Avenue A.
Patenaude, who is the co-pastor at the Park Place Congregational Church in Pawtucket, has performed extensively around the country in summer stock and cabarets, including the Top Hat in Providence.
“I try to combine my heartfelt church mission with my gift of music,” he said.
His first role was at the age of 9 when he played one of the children in “The King and I.”
Maria and Wayne expect many of the Park Place congregation to be in the audience at the Odeum, including the many fans they have entertained over the years.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” Maria said.
As we were about to leave, a gentleman at another table asked for a flyer.
“My friends took me to the opera. Now it’s my turn to repay them. I’d love to see your show.”
Maybe I should do all my interviews at Dunkin Donuts.
“Broadway & Beyond” will be at the Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St., East Greenwich, on Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.theodiem.org or by calling 885-400. They will also be available at the door.
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