By Alix Cohen
Lucille Carr-Kaffashan is a psychologist. This is a smart show with excellent, often little known song choices that relate to one another. Wise points are well made. The vocalist has a fine voice and skilled control.
Unfortunately, Carr-Kaffashan remains in her head throughout. She looks at us/shares only briefly at the beginning and end of the show. Though well measured gestures and facial expression are apt, lyrics arrive impersonal. It’s as if she has neither emotional connection to song meanings nor her audience.
“We hold on to loved ones, beliefs, fears, our own identities…”
The opening, an amalgam of “Let Yourself Go” (Irving Berlin)/ “Let It Go” (Robert Lopez/Kristen Anderson-Lopez),and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” (Irving Berlin) feels restrained, rather than exuberant. Loosening up would help the performer immeasurably.
Lucille Carr- Kaffashan, Matt Scharfglass
Arrangements are often counter-intuitive to lyrics. Don Schitz’s “The Gambler” rides on propulsion that has nothing to do with its laconic, western vibe. Following a story about exhilaration riding an accidentally galloping horse, Mark Charlap/Carolyn Leigh’s “Flying” is backed by monotone piano thump, while being dramatized as awkward and distressed
“Breathe” (Anna Nalick) is evocative. “The Pluto Song:” (Dan Furman/Ruth Weber),with snippets of The Twilight Zone theme between verses, arrives droll. “What Was I Made For?” (Billie O’Connell= Billie Eilish/Finneas O’Connell) is poignant. Meg Flather’s encouraging “Hold On Tight” feels savory and true.
The artist needs to get inside her choices and let us see her. She has raw materials for which others search.
Note: If you’re going to take the microphone out of its stand, move the stand away from center stage.
Photos by Jeff Harnar
Lucille Carr-Kaffashan: Breathe- Songs of Holding on and Letting Go
MD/Piano- Jeff Cubeta
Director- David Hilder
Bass- Matt Scharfglass, Drums- Don Kelly
Don’t Tell Mama 343 WEsrt 46th Street https://donttellmamanyc.com/
