Many a young man has left his Midwest homeland to seek a new life in New York City. Some have translated that personal experience into song and story on the cabaret stage, but none with more easy-going warmth and charm than Arkansas-born Brent Winborn. Titled Looking for America, Brent’s show, melding monologue and music, captures a boy’s coming of age in America’s heartland, following an urge to see the nation’s fields and roads, then finding fulfillment in the city. Brent’s background as an actor, together with a singing voice hinting of the dusty fields of his home, bring his story alive in an easy-going yet neatly paced performance. The show features more than a dozen songs, ranging from folk- and country-style pieces (such as “Shenandoah,” Rufus Wainwright’s “Oh What a World,” and Cannon/Cunningham/Shamblin’s “Flies in the Butter”) to more modern ones such as Styne/Hilliard’s “Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket,” Mencken/Pitchford’s “Sailing on My Dreams” and Paul Williams’ “I Won’t Last a Day.” Musical direction and harmonizing that blended well with Brent’s style were provided by Rick Jensen, with added warm cello accompaniment by Arthur Cook. Director was the ever-masterful Lina Koutrakos.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
June 23, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org