Ross Lehman is a first-rate singing communicator. Actor Lehman’s elastic vocal ability—especially warmed up—also enables him to peel subtle layers in a lyric. He is also big funny. Lehman takes the olde (yes, olde) Scottish ballad “Lord Randall” to a comic turn changing in nanoseconds from the poisoned noble to his “concerned,” greedy babushka-clad mum. In early twentieth century songs, Lehman balanced well the breeziness of verses with choruses having more sentimental feel. This was well demonstrated in songs like “But Not for Me,” and “I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes).” Lehman has an intense physical and interpretive energy, yet a genuine, relaxed way of sharing anecdotes—especially those about quirky Aunt Dibby. Guests Cheri Coons and Rob Lindley added to the fun. Lehman performed a duet with each and “Aba Daba Honeymoon,” with Coons, managed to be delightfully goofy, yet still be a love song. Rob Lindley’s spectacular delivery of a song about caveman made honey of each double entendre word play about the gay Neanderthal.

Doug Peck’s musical direction provided the right support and Mark Watson’s guitar accompaniments added musical lilt. The gently accompanied, underplayed and thus compelling encore of “My Funny Valentine” tugged at the heartstrings. Don’t change a hair for us.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
July 31, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org