Tall, thin, gorgeous Shelly Burch is not only the mother of three teenagers but also the wife of Martin Charnin (her second hubby), producer and director of this marvelous show. Burch includes many of Charnin's songs in her show to tell her life story—her hopes, courage and optimism. Getting an abbreviated education in musical theater at Carnegie Mellon, she announced “I’m leaving for New York,” making her way through the usual corridors of voice, dance and acting lessons. It didn’t take long to be noticed and cast in a co-starring role on Broadway in Stop The World… with Sammy Davis, Jr.  What followed was two years in the roles of Star To Be and Lily in Annie.  Tommy Tune saw her star quality and she originated the role of Claudia in his production of Nine. She then played devilish Delila for 8 years on One Life to Live.

Burch has a wide, sweet soprano range filled with inflections of emotional honesty. Two songs from Charnin’s newest revue Love is Love/I Love Music set the theme of the evening. Styne/Sondheim’s “Small World” presented an introspective and mystical arrangement including some original lyrics “you’re a man who likes music…I love to make music.” Speaking of new lyrics, I wonder how Vernon Duke and Ira Gershwin would like these additions to “I Can’t Get Started”: “I’ve posed in Vogue for Prada, it’s nada with you…”  Some of Charnin’s other story songs are seemingly a perfect fit for Burch, including “Dream Me a Dream,” “It Happens at Night” and the clever and amusing “Fly.” From a deeper place, Burch highlighted Maury Yeston’s lyrics of “Unusual Way” (Nine).

In approximately three minutes, Burch condensed eight years of the soap opera story of Delila. She tied it in with her own story about falling in love with the wrong guy, moving to Orlando and having three children. “Unfinished Symphonies,” (Levinson/Charnin) a tearjerker about the loneliness in relationships, portrays the end of her first marriage. Charnin’s “Special Skills” is that portion of the resume that gives Burch the opportunity to sing about her talents— “you can use me if your bathroom needs some fixin’- I’m your caulker,” allowing her to show off her operatic prowess in a beautiful Puccini aria in answer to Charnin’s question, “You sing opera? I like Puccini!”

Shelly Burch is a gracious, giving performer with the ability to communicate. Although the opening night audience was sparse (hard to believe with her talents), celebs in her life came to applaud, including Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda and Andrea McArdle.  Musical Director/pianist was James Mironchik with Brad Russell on bass and Brian Brake on drums/tympani/percussion.

Shelly Burch appears through March 2^nd. DO NOT MISS HER SHOW ! ! !

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
February 25, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org