Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael dished out an enjoyable salute to Irving Berlin and George Gershwin at the Skokie Theater with Cheek to Cheek with Fascinating Rhythyms.

In “Snookey Ookums,” Menzie and Michael find just the right balance between annoyance and amusement. “Vodka” demsonstrates why Beckie Menzie is arguably the preeminent all-round talent in Chicago’s cabaret community. It’s not just musical excellence—that is shared by a select few. What sets Menzie apart is seamless connection with material. When she sticks her nose into the bottom of the martini glass to get that last nanodrop, it’s not hokey. It feels as true as it feels funny. What a delight!

Michael’s ballads are lush and he has fun in the ending duet of “I Love a Piano.” It would be grand to see him let down his hair even more. By the way, his brocade jacket is gawjus.

The sold out audience was delighted.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
May 17, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org