Graham-a-Rama, a weekly cabaret show put on by local music director and pianist Graham Sobelman, was only planned to run a few weeks. But after the success of the first few shows in February, Sobelman has continued the show nearly every week since then, has guest appearances confirmed as far out as January and will continue the show until it "runs its course."

It has gained somewhat of a cult following, selling out nearly every show. Most of the audience has been to multiple shows, Sobelman said.

Graham-a-Rama, one of the few cabaret shows in the grid, is a mix of original music, standup comedy, musical theatre and rock 'n' roll covers. The instrumentation consists of Sobelman on a grand piano, a bass player, a drummer and occasionally a guitar player.

"Maybe that's why it's done so well," Sobelman said. "There's nothing else like it."

Each show has different scripted portions with local guest vocalists using a number of costumes and props including an inflatable sheep, and also an improvised crowd participation element including trivia, mad libs and sing-alongs.

It started with a group of musical theatre friends hanging out — Sobelman has been playing piano for musicals in the area since 1994 — taking songs and performing them out of context. Sobelman became friends with theater actress and singer Nancy Zoppi (who will perform in Graham-a-Rama this Sunday), whose father, Bobby Zoppi, helped provide the Geery Theater as Graham-a-Rama's venue.

The theater, located at 2130 L St., is housed in a green Victorian and only holds 49 seats. It's such an intimate performance, during one of the shows, audience members were asked to sit on stage as a nod to the musical Spring Awakening, Sobelman said.

So far Sobelman has staged 25 Graham-a-Ramas, sharing the stage with about 40 guests and performing over 400 songs. The show has received media attention nearly every local media outlet including The Sacramento Press, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento News & Review, and Capitol Public Radio.

"I'm happy with how it's been," Sobelman said. "I never take anything for granted, and I'm not expecting it to sell out every week."

"I've enjoyed every single show, but obviously I like working with Nancy Zoppi," he said. Sunday will be her fourth time with Graham-a-Rama."

Graham-a-Rama is impressive in its juxtaposition of serious songs with standup comedy. One moment you might be laughing, and the next thing you know, a performer is singing a sad song about unrequited love.

One of the funniest moments, Sobelman said, was during a performance of the ballad "The Sun and I" (click link for video) from the musical Hot Mikado. About 20 seconds into the song with the audience totally silent, an audience member "who was out of her element," wearing a ton of jewelry and sporting a fake tan, stood up and left the theater, he recalled.

The audience (and performers) erupted in laughter.

In subsequent shows, "Ms. Jangles" as she is known now, has become a recurring character in skits. Re-enactments of the whole episode have also taken place.

"We make fun of everybody," Sobelman said. "But we don't set out to offend anybody."

Tickets can be purchased here for $14.50. Mature audience are recommended.

Photographs courtesy Tony Sheppard.