Hilary Ann Feldman described her New York debut show as a “trip of discovery,” looking back to the days when sheet music was the medium of song collection and sold everywhere to be taken home to the near-ubiquitous piano in the parlor.

Her search for “songs that were memorizable and could by sung by the average Joe” latched on to several venerable “oldies” — Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies” (possibly 1927’s best sheet music seller), his 1924 “What’ll I Do?” and the 1926 “When the Red, Red, Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along.”  It was not all a history lesson, however. She notes that the Great American Songbook “is still being written,” and among other more recent tunes included the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and Steve Lutvak’s ethnic rib-tickler, “The Dinner Party.”

Her first few numbers left little doubt about the clear quality of her soprano.  And it was a pleasure when she sang Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan’s riotous “The Girl in 14-G,” joining in the vocals coming through the floor and ceiling with operatic trills that would satisfy a casting director at the Met.

But here’s the rub. Feldman's soprano is on target for some numbers, such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” but other songs she chose just don't work in that register, such as her opening, “Get Happy” and Feelin’ Groovy.”

The good news is that she may only need someone to point out that her soprano is great but, even as in operatic arias, the register must be a purposeful match to the songs. Happily, Feldman digs her lyrics and communicates them colorfully.  And it’s clear she’s got the range. Several songs that she took down a couple of notches worked well indeed. “I always wanted to tell stories in song,” she said.  “It took me a long time to find cabaret, but I’m so glad I did.”  And we will join that great delight the next time around, as she demonstrates her increased understanding that audiences in the intimate rooms value a good story-teller even more than a good high C.

Beckie Menzie was Feldman’s accompanist, John Kitel the hand on the lights and sound.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
October 19, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org