Maude Maggart takes over the Oak Room stage as a thorough professional, as she interweaves personal anecdotes about her family and her life with songs that touch and entertain. She infuses each with tenderness, enthusiasm and warmth. There are in her program seldom-heard, touching ballads such as Marshall Barer and Anita Nye’s "What's My Name," "My Grandmother's Love Letters" by Maury Yeston, Babbie Green’s humorous "No Way, José," and some the Gershwins' classics—"The Man I Love" and "Love Is Here to Stay." Sondheim’s "Beautiful" and Dolly Parton’s "Coat of Many Colors" were delivered with unfailing sensitivity.

Maggart is at once a subtle natural comic and a poised singer.  Lively at times, subdued at others, she performs tastefully with seemingly effortless skill. Maggart is youthful, attractive and appealing. Accompanied by John Boswell at the piano and Yair Evnine on guitar and cello, her performance makes it clear that the Oak Room is in good hands for the next several weeks.

Maude Maggart will be at the Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room until May 23rd. Don’t miss her.

Seymour Spilka
Cabaret Scenes
April 15, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org