sharron matthews is a goddess

this woman is beyond delightful. watch the clip.
seriously.

um. excuse me. WHY did no one ever tell me about sharron matthews and her Sharron’s Party cabaret show? why? because, after last night, i feel like i’ve accidentally stumbled upon the beatles, like, four years after the rest of the planet.

she. is. AWESOME.

for the uninitiated – a group that would have included me some 28 hours ago – sharron matthews is a brilliantly talented and super-hilarious actor-singer-comedian-entertainer-storyteller-rabblerouser-cool-lady. if you want to know more about her, it’ll be quicker if you just visit her website, or read her blog, or check out her YouTube channel filled with videos like the one above. off you go. come back when you’re informed.

so, anyhoo, a group of us decided to go to Sharron’s Christmas Party last night. i was a Party virgin, and didn’t know what to expect. i’d heard good things about her from friends, and everyone in the venue seemed pretty pleased to be there, so i figured i’d be in for a treat.

and i was.

for starters, like any good hostess, sharron began the night before she ever stepped onstage, working her way around the room (amid rows of seats and a few tables and chairs set up near the stage) in the pre-show half-hour to greet everyone. INDIVIDUALLY. (i know!)

the show itself was fantastic. a witty and clever and occasionally spontaneous and unexpectedly touching (come on, a room full of people all singing White Christmas has “vickie will get choked up” written ALL over it) amalgam of music, storytelling, christmas reminiscing, comedy and, as noted, audience participation.

so. much. fun.

in addition to sharron, the two-hour extravaganza featured guests sarah strange, a young actor-chanteuse who sang a couple of songs, and jean stilwell and patti loach, who blew the audience away with their performance of the number in that clip and another sadder, more sombre one. there was also an appearance by b-dub (so handsome, so terrific!) and a duet between sharron and a 13-year-old boy (whose name is completely escaping me... dammit) with a HUGE voice.

honestly, such a grinchload of entertainment for only $20. it was money SO well-spent.

and i will TOTALLY be at subsequent Parties because, honestly, it was that good. if you ever get wind that she’s playing in your area, GO. just go.