The remarkable debut performance of Theresa Rose, entitled Feelin’ Good, at Don’t Tell Mama, was outstanding and unforgettable.  With a beautiful voice, expressive patter, and a warm, charmingly natural personality, how could one not leave the act feeling good? Be sure to get to her next performance (no date yet), so you, too, can experience getting in on the ground floor of the career of a new cabaret star. She is sure to rise.

Singing “Shy,” her second number, she exhibited an important strength of her voice—its range. Beginning the tune in soft, lovely tones, she sang, “I’ve always been/(explosion of sound) SHY…”  This range, between soft and belting, is one of her fortes. And therein lies a problem. At this point in her career, she tends to be a belter and at times overuses this approach to a song.  Furthermore, she emphasized the loudness by keeping the microphone too near her mouth.  But these flaws could be easily overcome with a bit of good coaching.  The wonderful voice and other talents are still there.  She seemed like a diamond that needed a little more polishing. What was conveyed with "Shy"was not only irony, but also a sense of fun. Her mood was infectious.

It was immensely entertaining to hear Rose’s version of “Coronet Man.” Using her unique voice, she successfully imitated, at the appropriate moments, the sounds of a coronet. The effect was astonishing!  She was amusingly expressive even when she delivered her follow-up patter: She laughed, "Once you try one [musician? musical instrument?], you might as well try another.”  One has to enjoy and admire her vast vocal range and her ability to entertain.

Introducing “Man Wanted,” she asked the audience, "You know my favorite New York holiday?" Then answered, "Fleet Week.”  She struck up an immediate rapport with the audience and she seemed to do it so effortlessly. She was funny from start to finish on this song and her loud voice reverberated, then modulated, to soft tones beautifully and she did this repeatedly throughout the song.

Rose showed herself to be a multi-talented performer—one having a lovely voice with a wide range. In addition, she is personable, funny, and expressive, among the qualities she used so well that one could laugh, enjoy, and be fully entertained by this vastly gifted new face on the cabaret scene.

Steve Potfora, Musical Director of this act, accompanied her ably on the piano.

Gloria Taplin
Cabaret Scenes
April 27, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org