In a cleverly conceived show, Marcia Sander expressed her Feelings about anything and everything, affording her the opportunity to make a number of intelligent musical choices. On the verge of sassy, she opened with Leiber/Stoller’s “I’ve Got Them Feeling-Too-Good-Today Blues.”  She had fun with Christine Lavin’s “Fly On a Plane” and learned a lot from that overconfident fly. Mary Liz McNamara’s salute to vegetarians, “Bacon,” was hilarious as was laundry list of lyrics, “You’re Outa Here” (Lorraine Feather/Fats Waller). Heart and sincerity shown on Frank Loesser’s “I Wish I Didn’t Love You So.”

Sander is at her best with novelty, uptempo tunes allowing for more dynamics and expressiveness. She has a tendency to drop the last notes at the ends of phrases and needs to reach deeper or raise the keys. Her voice is adequate, and if she continues working it, the quality will develop. What is noticeable is her gracious style and love for what she is doing.  You root for a gal like this because you know there’s much more hidden beneath the surface. She surely pleased the full house that attended this show!

Her musical director is the very proficient Virginian, Wells Hanley. Her director is the ever-talented Helen Baldassare.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
December 11, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org