"Will We Love Them Tomorrow? – probably for many tomorrows!” 

When Sheila Weller, Senior Contributing Editor of Glamour magazine, decided it was time to capture feminist history and its beautiful music and gossip, she got busy and wrote New York Times bestseller Girls Like Us. Hats off to Kaufman Center’s Theater Wing Director, writer/producer Sean Hartley, for envisioning a real-life tribute to the gals who wrote the tunes we will sing forever—Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon.

Gathering some of Broadway’s top female singers, this homage touched the hearts of many who delight in listening to Carole King’s Tapestry or Joni Mitchell’s Blue or Carly Simon’s first album and big hit “That’s the Way I Always Heard It Could Be”, the latter sung by the sisters Callaway (Ann & Liz), with profound longing in a sensuous harmonic blend.

Carole King started out as a wannabe songwriter at the Brill Building in New York City where she wrote “Loco-Motion"/"One Fine Day"/"Up On the Roof,” a medley for all: Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Capathia Jenkins, Jessica Molaskey and Barbara Walsh (pictured). Ann Hampton Callaway’s rich, sultry tones on “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” was soul stirring; Capathia Jenkins’ “It's Too Late,” precise with clarity, “Home Again” (Liz Callaway) sweet with honeyed whispered tonality, and the "Natural Woman” mantra gave all a chance to soar.

Jessica Molaskey’s lovely voice raised the bar when hubby John Pizzarelli came out to accompany her on guitar for Joni Mitchell’s sassy “Raised on Robbery.” “Song to a Seagull"/"Both Sides Now” was a winning moment for Barbara Walsh, and Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” was enhanced by Musical Director Jeff Klitz’s arrangement, giving the ladies a go-ahead at some humor.

Throughout the evening, Sheila Weller supplied the anecdotes, history and gossip about the three songwriters leaving us wanting more!

Any negatives? Lighting was uneven, leaving some of the performers dimly lit and others overly lit. Jeans as dress code?  No!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
October 5, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org