Lainie Kazan, singer turned actor, returned to her roots for a 6-night stint in the city where she first established herself as a cabaret star playing venues like the Venetian Room and the hungry i. A staple on classic variety shows (26 appearances on the Dean Martin Show), Lainie’s acting took off in the '80s and hasn’t slowed down (she can be seen in the soon-to-be-released film Don’t Mess With the Zohan with Adam Sandler).

Lainie’s show is chock full of great standards, sung in her deeply resonant showstopper style, her voice as rich and smooth as ever.  Opening with “Here’s What I’m Here For/I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” Kazan reveled in the opportunity to play San Francisco’s new crown jewel. A touching “Here’s To Life” segued into “I’m Shooting High,” which perfectly suits Lainie’s vocal range and fits like a well-worn glove. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Trolley Song” was a sweet tribute to Judy Garland, an early mentor.

Funny Girl’s “The Music That Makes Me Dance” and a medley of “Love/Falling In Love With Love” showed her poise, control and enjoyment of the material. Her 1968 hit “Sunny” really hit the mark while highlighting her backing trio of Eddie Caccavale on drums, Bob Kaye on piano and Jim DeJulio on bass.  

Lainie scored on Ron Miller’s “I’ve Never Been to Me” and the soft ballad “The Last Time I Saw Jimmy,” and then slid into a scorching arrangement of “The Man That Got Away.” Closing with an homage to the original red hot mama, Kazan hit it out the park with Sophie Tucker’s “Living Alone and I Like It.” A fitting finale to a delightful performance by the reigning red hot mama.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
March 25, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org