Singer, actress and headliner on Broadway, Off Broadway and in the London theater, . acclaimed for her performances in 1776,  Gypsy,  Sunset Boulevard and, of course, Cats — Betty Buckley defines “star.” The reason was clear as she sang and recounted her Broadway career in her newest engagement, “Broadway By Request,” at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. The “request” aspect was not fully free-fall: prior to her show, diners selected numbers from a prepared list; the choices went into a silver bucket, and, once on stage, Buckley picked them out and performed them – expressively, resonantly, squarely on the notes, skillfully manipulating a hand-held microphone to weave her notes into a smooth tapestry. She added immeasurably to each song by recounting their stories — for example, Stephen Sondheim’s strong objections to her interpretations of his songs in Into the Woods and A Little Night Music, and her struggle, almost up to Cats’ opening night, to find the right interpretation of her now- signature song, “Memory” – tales told with warmth, humor and fond recall. Piano backup was provided skillfully by Seth Rudetsky, whose introductory solo fast-paced comic schtick, however, felt better suited to some other show at some other club.

Betty Buckley and Broadway by Request continues at Feisntein's through March 7.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
February 10, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org