On December 21st, Bronwyn Rucker presented her joyous annual Christmas performance, Bronwyn’s Christmas, at Don’t Tell Mama. After an introduction by New York legend Joe Franklin who told some of his funniest jokes from his published jokebook ("on what milk cartons do they put the photos of missing transvestites? — half and half.") Bronwyn burst on stage in a lush, blue, big-sleeved, full-skirted ballroom gown and with the energy of Betty Hutton at her most manic, opened with "We Need A Little Christmas" with full use of props for all the objects in the lyrics. Bronwyn’s talented music director was Ricky Ritzel and her bass player was songwriter-singer Ritt Henn. The backup singers, "Holiday Spirits," were Nori Tecosky and flautist Kenneth Green. With childlike enthusiasm, Bronwyn also dispensed silver frosted flakes as she sang "Frosty the Snowman" and sang an original sweet wistful song, "Elves and Shelves (of Christmas Toys)," by Victor Millrose and Alan Bernstein.

Calling to mind the beautiful and elegant society supper club singers, Bronwyn stood still center stage and movingly sang a heart-breaking "Try To Remember," then melded right into "Silver Bells," ringing a small set of chimes as she encouraged the crowd to sing-along.

Commenting on the popularity of "deconstruction" in today’s political world, Bronwyn reprised her very special rendition of "All of Me." One of her signature songs, she separates each chorus with short narratives—hilarious commentaries on how the whole world today is "processed and packaged."

Telling us that it was her father’s favorite song when she was young, Bronwyn joyously danced all over the stage singing "When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbing Along."

Bronwyn told of seeing Mitchell Parrish in a wheelchair late in his life, and sang his verse to "Star Dust" before giving us a dramatic version of "Lost In the Stars," which evolved into "Catch A Falling Star" with Bronwyn dispensing stars to each audience member.

Bronwyn revived the Depression anthem "Pennies from Heaven" before introducing legendary jazz guitarist Ray Rivera. Rivera revealed that he and his brothers were homeless and grew up in an orphanage where the highlight of his youth there were the songs he heard at the Christmas service. Rivera sang an emotional "O Holy Night."

Bronwyn had great fun with Ritzel and Henn on "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" before wishing us home with happy thoughts with "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

Joe Regan, Jr.
Cabaret Scenes
December 21, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org