Emily Goglia Presents the Limelight Club Review – Cabaret at its Best

If you’re like this reviewer, you may be missing the “good ol’ days” when there were nightclub shows galore all over LA. Especially since the pandemic – and really a good ten years before – there has been a definite paucity of dazzling yet casual nightclub shows. Now Emily Goglia has rectified that dearth with her fantastic show on Melrose in LA.

Emily Goglia – Photo by Elaine L. Mura

Goglia brings a taste of the New York City cabaret scene to Los Angeles with her monthly residency at The Moon Room on Melrose. For an exciting and uplifting pastiche of Broadway tunes, personal stories, comedy, and an ever-changing roster of guests ranging from LA’s top singers to Broadway vets, composers, magicians, stand-up comics – you name it, and Goglia has ferreted out someone to fill the role. Each month, the show is completely fresh and new with exciting musical choices, a bevy of unexpected guests, a variety of show biz stories from past and present, and a special, distinctive, and uniquely Emily focus (with a few surprises thrown in). Goglia is a multi-talented performer who holds the audience in the palm of her hand as she coos a throaty piece of soulful jazz, shakes the rafters with hits from the last and this century (and some from next century too), turns herself from innocent to seductive, and brings the Broadway stage to The Moon Room. 

Emily Goglia – Photo by Elaine L. Mura

Goglia has played to packed houses in New York City and has performed in numerous musical comedies. She is thrilled to perform next as Audrey in the 5 Star Theatricals production of Little Shop of Horrors in Thousand Oaks. She even saved the day at the LA revival of Reefer Madness when she learned the role of Mae in a single day and went onstage that evening. Ms. Goglia is a show stopper to be reckoned with. Throughout the year, she performs in several shows at Disneyland and travels the nation with the USO Show troupe, singing and dancing for the military and their families. But Goglia isn’t all alone on that stage. She is accompanied by Pete White on piano. White, originally from the UK, where he too has a long list of hit shows and appearances, knows how to jump in at just the right moment. No matter what Goglia comes up with, he’s right there tinkling the old ivories with the best of them. This is a pair who can think on their feet and never miss a beat.

Emily Goglia – Photo by Elaine L. Mura

September’s show was brilliant, with Goglia offering a full menu of musical arrangements, both gentle and earth-shaking, from cool blues to hot jazz. She has the voice of an angel – until she decides to get right down low with the shadowy souls and raise the roof. She can strut her stuff with the best of them – and then quietly fade away to give her guests the floor. The September cabaret featured Emily’s sister and singer Juliette Goglia (must be genetic), vocalist Justin Jones, Hadestown actor/singer John Krause, magician Ryne Strom, and John Duprez, composer of Spamalot, who offered Goglia a very special grail.

Guests Juliette Goglia and John Krause with Emily Goglia – Photo by Elaine L. Mura

This is a monthly show you can’t miss – and it’s one place that hasn’t been overtaken by rampant inflation. For a full (and I mean full) two-hour show, tickets are just $10 (or $15 at the door). Now that’s real bang for the buck. But just because the price is a bargain, don’t think that the show is bargain basement. This is showmanship at its best and worth many times the price of entry. Emily Goglia has brought back cabaret to LA, and you need to become part of the growing number of folks who have discovered Emily Goglia’s Limelight Club!

EMILY GOGLIA PRESENTS THE LIMELIGHT CLUB runs at 8 p.m. on the third Monday of every month (9/16, 10/21, 11/18, and 12/16/24). The Moon Room is located at 7174 Melrose Avenue (second floor), Los Angeles, CA 90046. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and there is no drink minimum. For information and reservations, go online.