Vivian Reed: Standards and More

Vivian Reed

Standards and More

Metropolitan Room, NYC, April 2, 2016

Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes

The two-time Tony nominee Vivian Reed burst onto the scene 40 years ago, by literally creating a part for herself in the musical Bubbling Brown Sugar. After a hiatus from show business to care for her mother, Reed returned to the world of cabaret in 2014 with a residence at 54 Below. In her introduction, she remarked that many in the audience at 54 Below asked her to perform standards from the Great American Songbook. With this show, she fulfilled that request admirably, by combining standards with the blues and jazz numbers that she is best known for. The spectacular instrument that is her voice has lost none of its range and power over the decades, and works remarkably well in all genres.

Backed by a musical quartet led by William Foster McDaniel, Reed showed off the power of her voice, and opened with a medley of “Just One of Those Things,” “Almost Like Being in Love” and “”I’m Gonna Live Till I Die.” Her voice became softer and sweeter for “My Funny Valentine.” An accomplished actress, Reed’s emotional performance combined with the lush beauty of guest performer, Metropolitan Opera soprano Janinah Burnett, to perform a moving and memorable “Strange Fruit.” Reed stopped the show with “You Can Have My Husband (Don’t Mess with My Man),” a number she performed in The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club. Her bluesy side came out in a fun-filled duet with guest Raun Ruffin of “Bluer Than You.” An autobiographical introduction, involving her mom, made her performance of “Believe in Yourself” especially meaningful. The closing number, “Mon Dieu,” was a tribute to Edith Piaf. The encore of “More (Than the Greatest Love)” (Riz Ortolani/Nino Oliviero/Norman Newell) and “The Way You Look Tonight” left the overflow audience (there were people listening in the waiting area) cheering.

Vivian Reed returns to the Metropolitan Room Monday, May 23 at 7:00 PM; Friday, June 17 at 9:30 PM; and Thursday, July 21 at 7:00 PM

Tags: 54 Below, Almost Like Being in Love, American Songbook, Believe in Yourself, Bluer Than You, Broadway, Broadway Musicals, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, CD, Clubs, Composers, Edith Piaf, Great American Songbook, I’m Gonna Live Till I Die, Janinah Burnet, Jazz, Jazz Singers, Jazz Vocalists, Just One of Those Things, lyricists, Metropolitan Opera, Metropolitan Room, Mon Dieu, More (Than the Greatest Love), Musicals, Musicians, My Funny Valentine, Nightclubs, Nino Oliviero, Norman Newell, NYC, Popular Song, Raun Ruffin, Revues, Riz Ortolani, Ron Forman, Show Tunes, Singers, Songbook, Standards, Standards and More, Strange Fruit, Supper Clubs, The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club, The Way You look Tonight, Venues, Vivian Reed, Vocalists, William Foster McDaniel, You Can Have My Husband (Don’t Mess With My Man)

Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews, Regional