Melissa Errico: Funny, I’m a Woman with Children!

Marilyn Lester | September 23, 2016

Melissa Errico

Funny, I’m a Woman with Children!

Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, September 21, 2016

Reviewed by Marilyn Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Melissa-Errico-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212 Absurdities and the ins and outs of marriage and motherhood—these are the themes of Melissa Errico’s new show, in which the star wants you to know exactly where she’s at in life. This tell-all is accomplished through an eclectic song list, which, like any good musical, flawlessly moves the storyline along. From the opening two numbers, “Secret o’ Life” (James Taylor) and “Small World” (Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim), thence into Errico’s narrative, it was apparent that the evening was going to be intensely heart-on-sleeve personal.

Very few performers can carry off so much (seemingly unstructured) talk, talk, talk without losing the attention of the audience. Errico holds the stage through sheer charm, a willingness to share and the force of personality. A long story about childhood into young adulthood and first loves rolls neatly into “Other People’s Parties”/”Real Emotional Girl” (Joni Mitchell/Randy Newman) and “Ribbons Down My Back” (Jerry Herman). And so it goes through the diva’s life to date with a 20-year marriage to Patrick McEnroe and three lovely little girls (Ewan MacColl’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Michel Legrand/Alan & Marilyn Bergman’s “The Way He Makes Me Feel”). Errico is an accomplished actress and her voice is legendary for its range, clarity and flexibility, attributes perfect for a mastery of Sondheim’s “Marry Me a Little” and “Children Will Listen,” both sublimely performed.

Errico was accompanied only by Musical Director Tedd Firth’s extraordinary and sensitive piano—a wise choice for a show that is so directly personal. It was a treat to hear the two present a number cut from My Fair Lady: “Shy” (Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe), with Firth reading from a handwritten chart. With guest artist Richard Troxell, the duo performed “Do I Hear a Waltz?” (Richard Rodgers/Stephen Sondheim) with the chemistry they exuded in their recent turn in the eponymous musical. Two Brazilian works, thematically related, “Photograph”/”Fotografia” (Antonio Carlos Jobim & Ray Gilbert/Dori Caymmi, Mann, Paulo César Pinheiro) were also especially engaging. With an upcoming Finian’s Rainbow on her calendar, Errico’s encore was the nostalgic “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” (Burton Lane/E.Y. “Yip” Harburg), executed with haunting beauty. Director Robbie Rozelle can take credit for guiding Errico through a very fine and accessible crowd-pleasing show.

Tags: Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Alan Jay Lerner, American Songbook, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Broadway Musicals, Burton Lane, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, CD, Children Will Listen, Clubs, Composers, Do I Hear a Waltz, Dori Caymmi, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Ewan MacColl, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Finian’s Rainbow, Fotografia, Frederick Loewe, Funny! I'm a Woman with Children, Great American Songbook, How Are Things in Glocca Morra, James Taylor, Jazz, Jazz Singers, Jerry Herman, Joni Mitchell, Jule Styne, lyricists, mall World, Mann, Marilyn Lester, Marry Me a Little, Melissa Errico, Michel Legrand, Musicals, Musicians, My Fair Lady, Nightclubs, NYC, Other People’s Parties, Patrick McEnroe, Paulo César Pinheiro, Photograph, Popular Song, Randy Newman, Ray Gilbert, Real Emotional Girl, Revues, Ribbons Down My Back, Richard Rodgers, Richard Troxell, Robbie Rozelle, Secret o’ Life, Show Tunes, Singers, Songbook, Standards, Stephen Sondheim, Supper Clubs, Tedd Firth, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, The Way He Makes Me Feel, Venues, Vocalists