Good cheer infused James Naughton and Christine Ebersole’s outing at the Strathmore Music Center, making the substantial concert hall feel as cozy as a living room.  The two first met in the late '70s when Ebersole went into I Love My Wife, and their comfortable chemistry played very well onstage – especially in duets such as “How About You?”

Naughton’s honeyed baritone and jazz stylings made pleasant work of standards such as “Real Live Girl” and “My Foolish Heart “and he scored solid laughs on “I’ve Been Everywhere.”  Ebersole combines a conversational clarity with gorgeous singing as well as anyone today.  And when she throws in her dazzling personality and point of view, she seems unstoppable.  “How Are Things in Glocca Morra” was amazingly moving and “No Bout Adoubt It” was a real charmer.  Surprisingly neither sang songs from trademark shows such as City of Angels, 42^nd Street, Chicago, or Grey Gardens.

The concert felt thrown together, and neither performer ventured far from a center-stage music stand (presumably containing lyrics).  I suspect that Naughton flubbing words on “I Remember It Well” was not a planned interpretive choice.  But somehow it all contributed to the slapdash charm of the evening. 

The music direction by John Oddo with Ray Marchia (drums), Dave Pietro (bass), and Dick Sarpola (sax) provided solid support to the performers.

Michael Miyazaki
Cabaret Scenes
November 9, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org