Tom Culver: Cole Porter, Uncorked
Tom Culver
Cole Porter, Uncorked
Metropolitan Room, NYC, June 10, 2015
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Photo: Angie Clement-Cromwell
Tom Culver is a charming old pro who knows how to command the stage, use his hands to great effect and has the ability to insert amusing remarks during and between numbers. Cole Porter, Uncorked was a fast-paced show featuring 20 of Porter’s best songs. Some of these chestnuts have been smartly updated with new lyrics by Culver, whose singing style is relaxed and comfortable.
His opening number was an updated version of Porter’s “Well, Did You Evah!”—with added new lyrics by Marilyn Maye—followed by a Bobby Short tribute number, “Looking At You.” Culver’s witty new lyrics to “You’re the Top” included mentions of Meryl Streep, Beyoncé’s wages and even the amazing Ms. Maye, who arranged six of the numbers. Culver beautifully blended a medley of the rarely performed “Dream Dancing” and “So in Love.” Guest vocalist Jaye Maynard performed a moving, dramatic “Miss Otis Regrets (She’s Unable to Lunch Today).” The audience joined in for a rousing “Don’t Fence Me In.” Culver told the ironic story of Porter’s writing the up-beat “At Long Last Love” —supposedly while lying in a hospital bed after his tragic fall from a horse. The evening ended with a poignant, heartfelt “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” followed by his cheerful encore medley of “Ridin’ High” and “From This Moment On.”
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
