For a guided tour through varied vintage movie melodies, Sarah Rice’s show is just the ticket. The aptly-named Screen Gems dusts off some antiques, including fairly unusual items like “He’s So Unusual.” This treatment and context given for this saucy little number once chirped by Helen Kane, the model for Betty Boop, is an example of the loving care given by informed curator Ms. Rice, who sure does adore the lore and the lure of the oldies. A tune treasurer, her knowledge-sharing remains interesting, not overly professorial. She’s comfortable and cozy wrapping her golden soprano in their sheet music and like a song plugger of yore, she sells you on their charms. And hers. I particularly enjoyed the historical digging. My only dig (of the other kind) is to say that, with thousands of songs, it seems a waste to include some not originally written for film. From the many Disney scores, there‘s the refreshing choice, “The Age of Not Believing,” sung warmly and engagingly, with Snow White’s “I’m Wishing” as well (hidden pun), echoed by pianist Seth Weinstein (more interaction between the two seems in order). Gloriously sung, or held back, the showcase pre-sents different sides of the radiant Rice voice.
Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
October 17, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org
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