It isn’t only Jeanne Scherkenbach’s physical resemblance that links her to Kate the Great—The Music and Times of Kate Smith. Her admiration for Smith is palpable and her anecdotes about visiting people from Smith’s world, particularly Andy Williams, are heartfelt. As singers, Smith and Scherkenback travel different roads. Smith was an excellent power belter who brought a toasty feel to hundreds of popular tunes she performed. Scherkenbach is an operatic soprano. That feel works best in “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” near the show’s end. While Scherkenbach’s opera chops are impressive, it’s when she finds her mid range as a vocalist that she is most engaging and best connected to Smith. In “I’m Making Faces at the Man in the Moon,” with lyrics by Kate Smith herself, Scherkenbach relates the breezy charm Smith intended, demonstrating the frustration of a romantic yet to be struck by Cupid’s arrow. While the show is entertaining, future versions—of which I expect many—could benefit from a tweak. On larger stages, such as the Skokie Theatre’s, some blocking might be considered and there could be better connection with excellent accompanist Mark Burnell early on. That said, in Scherkenbach’s hands, K-K-Katie remains the g-g-girl that we adore.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
April 19, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org