Cabaret Review By Sandi Durell . . .
What might the Queen of Cabaret have in store on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2023 for her fans and friends? Just every most requested song she’s ever sung! And she doesn’t miss a beat, a lyric or a note.
She’s 95 as of her last birthday . . . or do they mean 59! This forever young, risqué ‘Secret o’ Life’, always has surprises in store for her audiences. It may be a new inflection of a lyric or a special twinkle of the eye but if you’ve seen Ms. M as much as I have, you’ll catch it and say ‘hmmmm, that’s new!’
Love Cole Porter? Me too! And here was the opportunity to hear 7 or 8 of your very favorites in the opening medley – – “I Concentrate on You” / “I Get a Kick Out of You” / “All Right With Me” / “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – – jazzy swing tunes. Every song has a story to tell and no one better to tell it.
Even on the subway, Ms. M is practicing her art, writing special lyrics to “I Love Being Here With You.” It all played out for 75+ minutes of sheer joy. With a sexy undertone “I’ve Got The World On A String” (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) gave opportunity for the soft touch of Daniel Glass, a symphony of drums, together with exceptional Tom Hubbard on bass, led by the always amazing Ted Rosenthal (pianist/conductor) to render speechless.
Love, Love, Love – a definite theme of the evening: beautiful ballads that touched the heartstrings and made them vibrate (“I Love You” / “My Romance” – with special key changes that flowed up and down to match the lyrics – / “That’s All” . . . makes one teary eyed hearing the artful stories which only enhanced Ms. M’s exquisite powerful vocal control and delivery.
What would a favorites song list be without the essence of “Guess Who I Saw Today” (Murray Grand/ Elisse Boyd) or “Fifty Percent” (The Bergmans) or the ultimate “Secret O’ Life” (James Taylor) and “Here’s To Life” (Artie Butler)? These are powerful stories delivered by the pro of pros, the lady who makes songs live and breathe, with a sense of humor bar none.
Here’s to the one and only Marvelous Marilyn Maye. Can’t wait for next year’s New Year’s celebration.
Photos/Video: Sandi Durell
