Lillias White: The Birthday Bash
Lillias White
The Birthday Bash
The Triad, NYC, July 24, 2016
Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes
Tony winner Lillias White threw herself a weekend-long birthday party at The Triad, showing off her physical and vocal prowess. She filled the tiny stage with an energetic band and backup singers, led by her brother-in-song, Timothy Graphenreed, and kept up a breakneck pace, even showing off with multiple deep-knee bends. “This ain’t your grandma’s 65!” she exulted. Her powerful, multi-layered voice showed absolutely no sign of age.
She sang more than 10 exultant songs ranging from the pulsating opener, “What Can You Do for Me?” to the biting, revelatory Nina Simone standard “Mississippi Goddam,” which White updated with modern references.
In between was an India.Arie ballad, “Beautiful Flower,” the sassily funny “Ego Trippin’” (David Jolicoeur/Vincent Mason/Kevin Mercer/Paul E. Huston) and Josh Groban’s “Remember Me.” Gwen Guthrie’s “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” (made famous by Aaliyah) was sung with a biting intensity. It became the unofficial theme song of the evening.
The brilliant band was completed by Gary Haase on bass and Buddy Williams on drums, with backup singers Ramona Keller, Kojo Littles and Clayton Bryant providing rich harmony and support.
White’s children and grandchildren were in the audience. The glow on her face when she spoke of them and sang to them was worth the visit to The Triad.
White will soon return to Broadway in a new musical—welcome back!
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews, Regional
