Lynda Carter: Long-Legged Woman
Lynda Carter
Long-Legged Woman
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., April 4, 2015
Reviewed by Michael Miyazaki for Cabaret Scenes
When Lynda Carter entered the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Center singing “Long-Legged Woman,” she answered what most audience members really wanted to know: She still looks amazing. Same cherubic face, same raven locks—in sequined tights with a long, black, silk shirt, black bolero jacket, and rhinestone heels. In a way, the other 87½ minutes of the show were just gravy.
She filled that time with an assortment of music that had something to please everyone. Her set included: rock/blues standards like “Take Me to the River” and “Mercy”; an American Songbook classic, “Blues in the Night” ; “Crazy” for the countrified; “Get on You Feet” for the Latin lovers; and even a song Carter wrote herself about the mother/son bond, “Jamie’s Song” (“Change a Little”).
As a performer, Carter is a charming and generous hostess, determined that her audience will have a good time. She was especially effective in songs that carried a more personal stamp, such as a jazz-tinged version of the Amy Winehouse hit “Back to Black” or the sassy country swing of “Cheatin’ on Your Baby.”
Carter filled the stage with a seven-man instrumental ensemble that included two percussionists and four keyboards on stage, augmented by a trio of female backup singers. Gracious throughout, she made a point throughout the evening of introducing the individual musicians to the audience and giving each a spotlight moment. During the encore, the entire audience was on its feet clapping along as Carter sang, “Let the Good Times Roll”—something she’d been making happen the entire evening.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, DC/Maryland/Virginia, DC/Maryland/Virginia Cabaret Reviews, Regional
