The title of Cynthia Crane's new show, I'm Confused, Therefore I Am, is a take-off on philosopher Rene Descartes's famous pronouncement, "I think, therefore I am." And so Cynthia tackles some of the most basic problems of human existence and personal identity, asking, first of all, what is life all about (an ambitious reaching for one who announces herself to be not an artist, but, modestly, a saloon singer). Her songs, which deal with such exalted themes as destiny, chance, change, and emptiness, are those written by as diverse songwriters as Rogers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Harburg and Arlen, Lew Spence, Dave Frishberg, and Ervin Drake. "Wet Night & Dry Martini" reveals her special way with the blues, to which her smoky voice is ideally suited; "I Wonder What Became of Me" her ability to express passion; the "City of New Orleans" (a train, not the city) her dramatic talent.

Despite the seriousness of Cynthia's theme, this show is--as all of her shows are--entertaining, sometimes light and funny. Her patter is for the most part brief and witty, such as the line that introduces Noel Coward's and Cole Porter's "Let's Do It," harkening back to a time when the "air was clean and sex was dirty." One of Cynthia's strengths is her mobile facial expressions, accentuated by a controlled use of body language, particularly amusing in her simulation of an Indian dance in "The Hopi Way." But these accentuate what her voice does; her interpretations do not depend on them (which is why Cynthia's performances translate so well onto recordings). If there were any complaint here, it would be that sometimes even these expressions and movements seem too scripted. But I attended her first show and perhaps when she relaxes more, they will seem more spontaneous.

Cynthia was accompanied by the accomplished Paul Greenwood and Boots Maleson on bass. Light and sound was by Michael Barbieri. The show will be on again on September 29th at 7, October 5 at 4, and October 9 at 7:30.

Barbara Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
September 21, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org