“Seasons be damned! I say “Santa Baby” is always in vogue when sex kitten Eartha Kitt is on stage. Well, unfortunately, she didn’t think her signature song was needed, leaving me a little disappointed, but I got over it quickly. She exudes her ever-present sexual “I’m still burning” desires at age 82.  Born Eartha Mae into poverty and humiliation in South Carolina, she was called "yella girl" and sent to Harlem to live with someone…an aunt, her mother…she’s not sure. Considered an ugly duckling, a shy outcast, she auditioned for the New York School of Performing Arts and on a scholarship made her way into a life that became a fairytale. Her sensuality attracted many high-powered lovers. “All of the merde that has been thrown on me over the years I use as fertilizer. It gives me strength.”

Opening with “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” we’re sure there may be trouble ahead as Kitt segues into “Let There Be Love.”  Hear ye, hear ye…all males who happen to be sitting ringside should know by now they are a target for the playful kitten’s prowl! She focuses right in with that come hither stare demanding attention as she engages her prey in one of several languages. French? Spanish? Turkish?—“Too Young To Be Meant For Me.” "Just introduce me to your father! With my “Champagne Taste” and your beer bottle pocket, I’ll be having pheasant while you’re dining with the peasants…" and “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I’ve Been a Liar All My Life,”  purrs this feline to perfection to exemplify her voracious needs.  Following with a belly dance brought back from her trips in Turkey on the Bosphorus and singing in Turkish, she sheds her robe to show off her still slim and trim curves, segueing into “Besame Mucho” performed when she was a child in Harlem entering Rhumba contests. A little out of breath, (and who wouldn’t be) Eartha wows ‘em again with Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose.” The lady sitting next to me stood up and couldn’t stop “Brava-ing” and someone near the stage said “This is better than Sex and the City!”   

In monologue style,Kitt’s acting skills were highlighted to purr-fection as she recited “I Don’t Remember Christmas” – enabling us to actually concentrate on the poignant lyrics of this song and then continued the drama with “I Will Survive.”  Her band is top of the line with Daryl Waters on piano, Jon Burr-bass, Joseph Friedman-guitar, Brian Grice-drums and Carlos Gomez-percussion.  It’s definitely the era of the 80+ year olds that are offering up some of the best of cabaret: Marilyn Maye, Julie Wilson, Keely Smith and the unstoppable Eartha Kitt.

Eartha Kitt continues at the Café Carlyle thru July 5^th. Call for exact show times.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
June 4, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org