News & Reviews from New York |
June 23rd, 2015
In Karen Masons performance at Dont Tell Mama on W, 46th St. we enjoy a superbly talented singer who gives us all the nuances and dimensions of the songs she sings all from the highest pop library from the Gershwins, Lerner & Lowe, Jule Stein/Leo Robin, The Beatles, and a terrific Over The Rainbow. This top-level cabaret act is totally engaging, with a strong comic undertone, and its a treat. Her clear strong voice takes us to the land of exquisite music performance. Music director Christopher Denny and stage director Barry Kleinbort lift the show to the sky. Shell do it all again Sunday and Monday, June 28th and 29th at 7:PM. 212/757-0788, www.donttellmamanyc.com Richmond Shepard---- Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com
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May 21st, 2015
The Triad on West 72nd St. has done it again-- a super musical performance: Karen Jacobsen, in a spectacular gown, is beautiful, funny, a lovely light-fingered pianist and a terrific singer with a fine clear voice who writes melodically original personal songs giving glimpses of her life and relationships (breaking up and one with ironic humor: Your Body Over Mine,etc.). Some are gifts to friends, to husband, and most recently to her mother. Shes Australian, and was inspired by Olivia Newton John as a child. The inspiration worked shes great. Ten million people hear her in their cars shes the voice on your GPS. She totally engages her audience with her charm, her voice and her wit, including a bit about her test for citizenship in the US. And she can hold a note like Jerry Colonna. She closes with an Australian classic. Its a treat to be entertained by this talented, lovely woman. Catch her if you can. Its one of the best performances of the decade.
Richmond Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com |
May 14th, 2015
With the cleverest lyrics since Moss Hart Or Oscar Hammerstein, the lively, zippy IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove, music by Barbara Anselmi, is the funniest show in town. Director David Hyde Pierce has put together a gang of comedians, each a comic personality with a good voice. Quips abound in this mixed up stew of romances, crossing and recrossing sexual expectations, set in a wedding hall where a marriage is supposed to take place. Scenic designer Anna Louizos gives us lots of doors to open and close, as in a Fedeaux farce, and innovative, zany choreography by Josh Rhodes keeps things jumping. Lisa Howard as the sister has two great numbers, and, for me, is the star of the show. Michael X. Martin and David Burtka do a song and dance that is splendid, Tyne Daly is very strong as the mother, Sierra Boggess shines, Harriet Harris is hilarious-- so is Chip Zien. The whole cast is perfect as they become part of a sexual kaleidoscope. Pierce seems to really know something about Showbusiness. This show is the living definition of the old term they used to use for wild and funny movies: Madcap. This is the maddest of caps. A flawless production.
Richmond
Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com
A long time
ago Friedrich Durrenmatt wrote a play: THE VISIT, which was adapted by
Maurice Valency, and then re-adapted into a musical with book by Terrence
McNally, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Its now playing
on Broadway with the live wire Chita Rivera and Roger Rees in the leads
and a large, very strong cast, including a vivid Mary Beth Pell. A woman
leaves her poor small town, and comes back years later a billionaire,
with the murder of her former lover in mind. This parable of greed is
directed with great imagination by John Doyle, with stunning choreography
by Graciela Daniele, a set with style by Scott Pask and all with a Brechtian
sensibility. The counterpoints of movement, including straight lines of
townspeople, a seldom seen sight in todays theatre, are exciting.
The large cast has no flaws-- all sing well, move well, interact well.
I liked seeing the two leads when they were young played by the fine singers
John Riddle and Michelle Veintimilla. THE VISIT is an unusual, complex,
gripping musical experience- the songs of Kander and Ebb cook. |
May 01st, 2015
The new POMPIES PLACE, part of the show center at Dont Tell Mama on West 46th St. gives us first class musical entertainment and first class food- a great combo. The three talented, accomplished singers, Hilary Gardner, Brianna Thomas and Lezlie Harrison take us on a thrilling jazz/blues trip from St. Louis to Creole-land to Broadway. When Ms Harrison sang Ten Cents a Dance, I really wanted to dance with her. Music director/pianist Ehud Asherie, who has the fastest fingers in the west, has assembled a hot band the sizzling Ken Peplowski on reeds, Jackie Williams on drums and David Wong on Bass. The ensemble has exquisite timing, and is a big step into the heights of blues/jazz. Its a class act that could play at Under 54 or Café Carlyle. The atmosphere in the room gives a pleasant feeling, and the audience was rapt. This is superior entertainment, and with the delicious food, we get enjoyment in sight, sound, and taste a treat-- a banquet for the senses. 343 W. 46th St. 866-811-4111. May 10- 1: PM, May 11- 7: PM, May 28 7: PM.
Richmond Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle.
Richmond
Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle.
Richmond Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle.
Richmond Shepard, Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle. |
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