Marriane Challis walked onstage, welcomed by enthusiastic fans waiting for her new show, What Will The Neighbors Say?, as the next chapter in the continuing saga of her earlier Confessions of a Middle-Aged Party Girl. She combined a gifted voice with a disarming sense of humor, taking over the room with subtlety and enormous charm. Spotlighting a variety of songs, she scored with the thoughtful "Both Sides Now," the reflective "Something in Red" (Angela Kaset), Cole Porter's romantic "So in Love" and a wildly funny "Tom Cruise Scares Me."

The drum medley featuring John Redsecker was surprisingly effective. When she concluded the evening with "Downtown," the Metropolitan Room audience stood in appreciation.

Challis is a consummate entertainer with a 2008 Bistro award. She is a delightful professional who reveals herself with her songs and her oblique observations and asides about life and show business specifically. In short, she is much more than a singer or comedienne. She unfailingly infuses her singing with passion and spirit. Her patter reflects a view of life at once wise and cynical but always fun. She is satirical but never sarcastic. By turns, tender, disbelieving and laughing, her rapport with the audience is outstanding. As she talks and sings about the human condition, it is clear she has the attention of everyone. Her voice wraps every song with feeling and taste.

Challis has a released CD, Confessions of a Middle-Aged Party Girl which captures the quality of her uncommon talent. It will do until you can see her live.

She was ably accompanied by musical director Christopher Marlowe on piano, Dick Sarpola on bass and John Redsecker on drums. The program was directed by Scott Barnes.

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
October 21, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org