Stacy Sullivan: Since You’ve Asked
Stacy Sullivan
Since You’ve Asked
Metropolitan Room, NYC, April 4, 2015
Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes
After fascinating Peggy Lee and Marian McPartland bio-surveys, Stacy Sullivan has generated a show surveying generations of her family. She tells tales of her grandparents’ and parents’ attitudes and priorities; it is, leaping ahead in the dynasty of DNA, directed by daughter Savannah Brown. Perhaps still clinging to singing and sensibilities à la Lee, Stacy’s voice is smoky, manner mysterious and minimalist, masterfully mesmerizing. Projecting someone lost in thought/memories, haunted, in a haze, digging inward, she—frustratingly—reaches out less to us. Some pieces tend to end with repeated lines intoned as stunned self-hypnosis. I urge more variety.
Coming off multiple major cabaret awards, in an act named for Judy Collins’s song, sensitivity reigns; two thoughtful David Hajdu lyrics captivate. Unexpectedly, a slowed-down “This Land Is Your Land”—unleashed from sing-along, head-bobbing status—is moving. With “Too Darn Hot” comes welcome playfulness and chemistry with excellent bandmembers Matthew Wattanabe (piano), Jamie Mohamdein (bass) and Troy Fanin (guitar/arranger/musical director). Weather is a unifying theme, with a prime Stacy Sullivan CD track, “Cold Enough to Snow” (Alan Menken/Stephen Schwartz), revived—strong in autobiographical context. I saw Since You’ve Asked at its opening; I think it will open up more …and blossom.
Stacy returns to the Metropolitan Room May 21 at 7 pm, July 11 at 4 pm, August 29 at 7 pm and November 14 at 7 pm.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
