Fans who love Jane Krakoswki from her television work (and who bought tickets to her Kennedy Center show in such large numbers that a second show was added) had every reason to enjoy her concert.  She looked amazing in a slinky, strapless, red satin sheath.  The bubbly personality was on display for an hour.  And one got to bask in the glow of her considerable charm.

Krakowski is also a terrific musical actress, and one of the few performers to possess both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award.  So when she keys into a playable character and story, as she did portraying a coked-up flapper in a medley of “When I Get Low, I Get High” and “Wacky Dust,” the moment is amazing.

However, Krakowski’s lack of experience as a concert artist and vocalist seemed evident.  Many of the numbers felt forced, and the act relied heavily on shtick—starting with writhing on the piano on her opening of "The Laziest Gal in Town."  Also, the show had an under-rehearsed feel, bolstered both by Krakowski’s on-stage admission, her reliance on a script for lyrics and patter, and her spotty microphone technique.

The five-piece ensemble headed by Michael Kosarin included the great Jay Leonhart on bass, but the orchestrations often overwhelmed the singer.  On comedy numbers the arrangements often didn’t give time for jokes to land. This is the first show I’ve seen in a long time that didn’t feature a single ballad.

Nevertheless, although not transcendent, Krakowski provided an entertaining evening.  Other highlights included a re-write of “Zip” by Mark Shaiman and Scott Whitman with a theme of “Tweet,” and a rollicking version of the Ann-Margret “Thirteen Men.”  And her final, charming, committed encore of “Rubber Ducky” showed what the entire concert might have been.

Michael Miyazaki
Cabaret Scenes
October 3, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org

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I believe the title refers to the fact that this sweet, sexy female had recently sold out this show at the Kennedy Center, but you may be lucky enough to find a ticket to see her at Feinstein’s. Whatever the derivation, Ladies—hold on to your husbands, sweethearts or significant others because Jane Krakowski is the quintessential charmer as she debuts her first cabaret show. She exudes sex appeal but in a little girl ‘"Here I am, I love you, love me" way.  Her show is a potpourri of double entendres mixed with “a little this-a, a little that-a” (Damn Yankees). Draping herself atop the piano, “The Laziest Gal In Town” (Porter), she reminded me of a life-size Barbie Doll, only prettier, segueing into “A Little Brains, A Little Talent” (Adler/Ross).

Eubie Blake and Andy Rzaf’s 1928 “Handy Man” will never be out of style, especially in the hot little hands of Krakowski, aided by Jay Leonhart on bass, who immediately wants to take it all back with “I’m Old Fashioned"/"Old Fashioned Girl” (Kern/Mercer, Fisher). So which is it, Jane?

For a truly new and creative “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” (Styne/Robin, new lyrics Chad Beguelin), try funky, rap…uh! Carol Channing would never recognize this but Gwen Stefani would have a ball. Reminiscing on Studio 54, “When I Get Low I Get High" (Marion Sunshine) and “Wacky Dust” (Levant/Adams) sniff, sniff, caused a definite buzz!

If you’re Jane Krakowski, you can call up Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (songwriters of Hairspray) and ask them to modernize a song like “Zip” from Pal Joey (Rodgers/Hart) and instead call it “Tweet.” Cell phone in hand, new lyrics covered the gamut. From “Fred and Ginger were great, now we’re stuck with John and Kate” to “Tweet – guess I really am a twit; tweet, tweet. . .”

“Out of respect,” she sang Berlin’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” followed by “Rubber Ducky” (Moss) aided by a band of bubble-blowers, Musical Director Michael Kosarin, Kevin Kuhn, guitar, John Redsecker, drums;,Lawrence Feldman, woodwinds, and Jay Leonhart, bass.

Krakowski is a charmer, easy, likeable, relaxed and real! Dynamics are first rate and whatever that “it” is...she’s got IT!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
October 7, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org