According to Perry Payne, this is a good time to get away from it all, as the real estate market hits reboot and New Yorkers deal with JC Penney lawn chairs all over Times Square! Her illustrious title may be Senior Vice President at Prudential Douglas Elliman, but on stage she’s a lady with a big belting voice that commands immediate attention.

Replete with a boundless sense of humor, singer-comic Perry Payne is one of those knock ‘em dead performers who presents most of her songs with a full head of steam. From "Let's Get Away from It All" (the Tom Adair/Matt Dennis song suggested by the title of her act) to the novelty “Dear Mr. Gershwin” (Mike Craver) each nuance is sung with self-assurance.  The latter song is a good acting vehicle for Ms. Payne), In between her vocals are a bunch of fast paced jokes that actually make sense and keep the audience giggling throughout.

In this evening of diversion, Ms. Payne offers her caring audience a time out from the nutty everyday pressures of a challenging year with an eclectic mix of tunes by songwriters John Wallowich, Jobim, Mancini and others.  Surely she’s the right person for the job, having many years of performing under her belt, including her role in the off-Broadway Kooky Tunes, her role as Sylvia Fine in Danny & Sylvia in Washington, D.C. and as songwriter of the novelty single (with Michael Rice) “Santa Claus Won’t Get Lit Up (at the Trailer Park Gate This Year).”

Originally from Lynchburg, Virginia., she pays homage to her home town with a Southern medley including Ethel Waters popularized tune “I’m Coming Virginia,” and the meaningful ballad “Fireflies and Shooting Stars,” written by long-time musical director/friend Michael Rice.  Bringing a hot, sexy attitude to Steve Randoy’s “He Slipped Me the Plastic,” it was double entendre all the way as her heart said "charge it," making this a performance highlight.

Michael Rice and "His Traveling Three" included Ray Kilday on bass, Danny Mallon and Gary Seligson on percussion and Amy Hamilton-Soto on violin. The show was directed by Evan Pappas.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
July 2, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org