Porsche’s final show of the Ice Palace season, consisting of a stunning two-and-half dozen songs, took place on September 21 and faithful DJ Chuck McTague was, of course, by her side.
Commenting that she had something of an Ellen Greene look that night, Porsche opened, on an up note, with the title song from “Little Shop of Horrors.” Later, she and Chuck sang “Suddenly Seymour,” always touching, with DJ RDK (Richard Kennedy) taking over in the booth. Continuing with a bit of gender confusion, Porsche sang some of “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” as Barry White, then as Taylor Dayne. We had a Diana Ross moment (“Upside Down”), at Kenny Braun’s request; an ode to television news reporter Magee Hickey (“Mickey” sung as “Hickey”); and a Madonna moment (“Like a Virgin”), with volunteer backup dancers.
Porsche gave us “I Kissed a Girl,” Katy Perry’s lesbian number, and a diverse “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” sung as Marilyn Monroe, Carol Channing, and Judy Garland. “Movin’ on up (movin’ on down)” was Porsche’s tribute to the l990s. She remembered Billie Holiday with a moody “Don’t Explain,” at Peter Chmiel’s request, and, after a Lily Allen interlude—“Not Fair,” bouncy despite its less-than-happy message, Eartha Kitt with a louche “I Want to Be Evil” and a tongue-and-brain-twisting “Come on-a My House” in Japanese, and later, Dusty Springfield with “Son of a Preacher Man.”
Wrapping her hair, Porsche linked Sade—a suave “Smooth Operator,” Erykah Badu—a frank “Tyrone,” and Nina Simone—“See that Woman,” a mystical experience. Porsche recalled Amy Winehouse’s brief life with “Valerie,” then Garland with an upbeat “Swanee.” She anticipated the winter holidays with “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” “The Man with the Bag,” and “Feliz Navidad” as Charo, Channing, Macy Gray, Bette Midler, Jill Scott, and Megan Mullally as Karen Walker. As the last song inspired a conga line, what could follow but Gloria Estefan’s “Conga?” Up-to-the-moment Porsche obliged Wendy Lewis with Meghan Trainor’s “All about That Bass,” and encored it near the end of the evening.
Shirley Bassey’s “History Repeating,” always a favorite and the request of this writer, led to something of a standing ovation, the first of many during this latter part of the show. As a farewell to the season, Porsche sang “Summertime,” from “Porgy and Bess,” Janis Joplin-style; Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time;” “The Rose,” for a moment with Chuck and an audience sing-along; and to close, “Over the Rainbow,” from “The Wizard of Oz,” Patti LaBelle-style, unusually.
Watch for another appearance by Porsche before the season is out, not at the Ice Palace, but at Island Breeze.