The theme of Suzanne Carrico’s new show at the Metropolitan Room, The Friendliest Thing – following her 2008 MAC Award for Outstanding Debut – was love, and her songs offered a rainbow of possibilities.  Expressively, and with a pleasing voice, she introduced her act with “Let’s Begin,” asking, ”What is this relationship going to lead to?”

The patter became personal when Carrico admitted that the love songs she was drawn to raised the question, “Was my id —my libido—telling me something?”  Love, she revealed, has permeated her life.  As she segued to her title song, “The Friendliest Thing Two People Can Do” from the 1964 Broadway hit, What Makes Sammy Run, Carrico introduced its songwriter, Ervin Drake.  His charm and humor added to the good mood of the evening when he asked, “What makes sex so sinful?” And answered, “It can lead to dancing.”

There were times Carrico seemed self-conscious and somewhat uncomfortable with her selections. More time to steep herself in the material may help her digest the songs and make them more a part of herself.  Of course, inferior material never enhances a performance, and “Amour” and “Toothbrush Time,” could be deleted without great loss. 

With “Hooray for Love,” Carrico introduced her two musicians, musical director Tedd Firth at the piano and Steve Doyle on bass, whose ensuing solos reverberated with variety, interest, and warmth.  Carrico increased in strength through the show, lending a sense of completion to her treatment of her theme.  ”I Had Myself a True Love” was at the darker end of the spectrum as Carrico conveyed the loss.  Her vocal and her body language combined to give it a fine interpretation (and she can belt!).  At her encore, “Embraceable You,” Suzanne Carrico characterized herself “as a torch singer.”  With her moving interpretation of the song highlighting her warm lyrical voice, I agree. 

Songster Mary Cleere Haran directed the show.

Gloria Taplin
Cabaret Scenes
May 26, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org