Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga
Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, April 12, 2016
Reviewed by Candace Leeds for Cabaret Scenes
Lea Salonga, gorgeous in appearance as well as voice, made her Feinstein’s/54 Below debut with a six-night run. Her crystal-clear voice, which can really pack a wallop, moves easily among classical, pop and country styles, and always conveys the emotional content of the lyrics. “Blackbird” (Paul McCartney), which was paired with “A Quiet Thing” (Kander and Ebb), really showcased the beauty of her voice and her concentrated vocal intensity. She totally inhabited “The Story of My Life” (Julian Bunetta/Jamie Scott/John Ryan/Louis Tomlinson/Liam Payne/Niall Horan/Harry Styles/Zayn Malik), which was an emotional and musical triumph.
Throughout the show, Salonga’s patter showcased her perky and tuned-in personality. She quipped about the upcoming election, her Philippine background, and her nine-year-old daughter and her husband, both of whom, she pointed out, were in the audience. She also joked about her age (she just turned 45): “When you enter your 40s, its Botox or bangs.”
She brought out her jazzy side with “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” (George and Ira Gershwin), which was performed with just banjo, giving it a bouncy flair. She got down and dirty with the sexy song “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke/Cliff Harris, Jr./Pharrell Williams), and brought down the house with her closing medley, including selections from Miss Saigon, the show which catapulted her to fame, garnering her Olivier, Tony and Theater World Awards at the tender age of 18. Salonga represents the best of cabaret—a beautiful and multi-faceted voice, elegant style, and emotive power.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews, Regional
