Marcus Simeone: The Truth About
Marcus Simeone
The Truth About …
Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, September 20, 2014
Reviewed by Peter Haas for Cabaret Scenes
There are very few singers who, year in and year out, sum up the best in cabaret. They bring fine, expressive voices, love for the songs they sing, and a combination of showmanship and unaffected rapport with their audiences. Example: Marcus Simeone, whose singing and spirit warmed up Don’t Tell Mama on a September evening as part of his series of autumn/winter engagements.
A multi-award winner with a multi-octave voice, Simeone was expertly backed by Tracy Stark on piano and Marco Brehm on bass—both adding their own musicianship, yet still wamly in sync with Marcus.
Simeone offered a mix of classics and newer material. Among the former: “Where or When,” “I Cried for You,” “Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” the romantic “I Have Dreamed” and a passionate rendering of “Strange Fruit.” More contemporary selections included Janis Ian’s “Married in London,” Peter Allen’s “I Could Have Been a Sailor,” Tim Di Pasqua’s “You” and a new song by Maria Gentile and Karen Cole, “Kindness Makes Me Cry.” Carolyn Montgomery-Forant, who, until recently, was too long absent from cabaret, took a warm-hearted guest spot with Amanda McBroom’s “Hot in Here” and her own “Mean Girls.”
Marcus Simeone continues with shows through year-end. Treat yourself!
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
