Christine Ebersole: Big Noise from Winnetka
Christine Ebersole
Big Noise from Winnetka
54 Below, NYC, September 10, 2014
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Christine Ebersole is everything that a great cabaret entertainer should be. She has extreme confidence on stage, looks marvelous, dresses beautifully, moves gracefully, delivers funny lines with great timing and then there is her very special voice. Her new show at 54 Below, Big Noise from Winnetka (her home town) allows her to show off all of her skills as a cabaret star. Ebersole smoothly mixed rock, spiritual and Big Band songs to tell her life story in music.
She rocked the crowd with her opening number, “Big Noise from Winnetka,” followed by a loud and lively “Darktown Strutters’ Ball.” Then, she effortlessly shifted to a warm and soft “Alfie.” The moving spiritual “Elijah Rock,” a tribute to her son, was followed by a duet with her son (Elijah!) of “Fingers to the Bone.” Ebersole’s great vocal range was on display with her thrilling “Something Good.” Her closing number, the Motown classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” was followed by three encore numbers—a lively “That’s How Rhythm Was Born,” followed by “Songbird,” and ending with “Will You,” a truly beautiful song she introduced on Broadway in Grey Gardens. This allowed her not only to display her operatic voice, but also her formidable acting skills.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
