Kristin Cantwell, the solo performer in the cabaret show Butter: A Love Story, proves an affable host for the evening. Taking on the persona of a Paula-Deen-heavy amalgam of Food Network personality types, she introduces us to the wonders of the butter bacon burger, the importance of creating a mood with “roombiance,” and the assets of Taylor the Latte Boy, who services her at Starbucks.

If only the girl could sing.

Cantwell has assembled an appealing collection of cabaret standards related to food, from the seductive “Peel Me A Grape,” the hilarious “Fifteen Pounds (Away From My Love)” and the worshipful “Sarah Lee.” Many songs fall outside her vocal range, and even when they don’t, Cantwell tends to gravitate between shouting, an uncontrolled vibrato, and falling just flat or short from pitch.

It’s a shame, as Cantwell is such a likeable performer; you want her to hit her notes and captivate her audience, but the vocals just aren’t there. The show also has an undeniably positive message of embracing your curves and loving yourself, while still poking fun at those given to dietary excess. The highlights of Butter are her enthusiastic, sometimes self-deprecating musings between songs. Unfortunately, a cabaret can’t survive on segues alone.

Butter: A Love Story‘s remaining performances are Thursday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Warehouse Beyond. Tickets are available online.