Cabaret Review by Ron Fassler . . .
Hot on the heels of Norm Lewis’s Christmas show at 54 Below, and just before 2024 reaches its end, comes “Melissa Errico: ‘Twas the Night After Christmas—A Winter Party with Billy Stritch,” with five consecutive nights of enough expert musicianship, laughter, and surprises to fill a family’s worth of stockings. Errico, dressed in flannel pajamas for much of the show, exudes a warmth and an appropriate nuttiness that turns the fabled cabaret setting into a slumber party of showtunes and holiday music.
Errico, who first gained attention when she starred at age twenty-three as Eliza Doolittle in a 1993 revival of My Fair Lady, has since played in a number of Broadway musicals in addition to a thriving concert and cabaret career. Her artistry is a mixture of precision and playfulness that she manages to balance with a carefree attitude that’s intoxicating. She is in full command when onstage and enjoys her patter as much as her singing (the audience does as well). Billy Stritch, long-acknowledged as one of New York’s finest cabaret artists, is a perfect companion for Errico, beside her every step of the way with his impeccable timing. Along with bass player David Finck and drummer Eric Halvorson, there’s flawless accompaniment all around.
Provocatively, Errico started off the evening with an up tempo mix of “Jingle Bells” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Everybody Says Don’t.” My first thought was that Sondheim’s not the first person who comes to mind when Christmas comes round. “Not exactly your ho-ho-ho kind of guy,” as Errico succinctly put it. But having done some clear thinking about it, she proceeds to “add some rum to the egg nogg,” doing so with some spicy Sondheim offerings at suitable intervals. One, a beautiful rendition of his tender ballad “I Remember,” counterbalanced by a medley with witty parody lyrics she wrote for four of his songs: “Send in the Clowns,” “Losing My Mind,” “Sorry, Grateful,” and “Not Getting Married Today.”
Special guests popped up with appearances by cabaret entertainer Robbie Rozelle (dueting on “White Christmas”), Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, who sang “New York, New York” with a decidedly more Frank Sinatra twist than that of Liza Minnelli, and Ava Arkin, a rising young talent with a lovely voice, who dueted with Errico for an encore with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” It all felt very familial: “Faithful friends who are dear to us, gathered near to us once more.”
Finally turning in her pajamas, Errico changed into a dress she had specially made of something she wore when she headed the Broadway company of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (2009). But whether in PJ’s or a gown, she dazzled with “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Holiday Feeling” (in a duet with Stritch), “Christmas Waltz,” “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” and, of course, “White Christmas.” And in order to exit the stage for her wardrobe change, Billy Stritch was given the time to croon “Just Another New Year’s Eve” and a medley of “Winter Weather” and “Songs for a Winter Night.” It was a treat to have him alone on the 54 Below stage backed by such fine musicians as Finck and Halvorson.
When you see this sassy songstress in this kind of intimate setting you get the full package. She’s a great singer, she’s a wonderful storyteller, and she puts her whole body into every lyric line that may require just a bit more “oomph.” Insouciant and spontaneous, spreading joy at a time of year when it’s often expected, but rarely delivered, Melissa Errico is the embodiment of holiday cheer.
Melissa Errico: ‘Twas the Night After Christmas—A Winter Party with Billy Stritch” is at 54 Below, 254 54th Street, NYC through Monday, December 30th. For ticket information, please visit https://54below.org.
Photos by Ron Fassler.
Headline Photo: Billy Stritch and Melissa Errico.
