In this gushing tribute to the music of Doris Day, Mary Cleere Haran delivers the gospel on her icon through colorful backstories on the singers soap opera life and also delivers a pleasing musical collection of both the very popular and the less so.

Day's story is compelling, especially for those only familiar with her cute, romantic comedies. The numbers are sung straight-forward in Haran's rich deep alto, opening with "Day In, Day Out" and the popular "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps."

Haran does not sound at all like Day and that's not the point of the show. It's a celebration of one singer's fascination with another, allowing the music to tell the tale. Haran does a good job on "Sentimental Journey," "Love Me or Leave Me" and the heartfelt Rodgers & Hart tune "Little Girl Blue." "Why Can't I?" from 1962's Jumbo gets a nice treatment as does a medley of "Toyland"/"Que Sera, Sera." Backed by accompanist Don Rebic, the show relies on Haran's considerable research and her attention to the lyric. Haran suggested that Day was an underrated singer. This show may help ameliorate that situation.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
July 14, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org