A program bringing together the far-flung Sullivan family is always a love fest, and October’s one-nighter, headlining Stacy and featuring KT and Elizabeth Sullivan, was no exception. This year’s, however, carried special poignancy: it was also a tribute to Jim Sullivan, father of the family, who had passed away suddenly three weeks before, at home in Oklahoma.

While the evening, as long planned, featured Stacy’s warm and engaging performances of standards—including “I Know a Place,” “Blue Skies,” “That Old Black Magic” and a perky Disney medley as she recalled raising her two children—the program shifted gently into reminiscences of Jim. Stacy dedicated “My Funny Valentine” to Jim; special guest Baby Jane Dexter, without microphone or accompaniment, shook the walls with “Forever Young”; and the family joined onstage, including sister Heather at the piano, to sing Elizabeth’s “Where My Picture Hangs on the Wall." Throughout the evening, fine accompaniment was provided by James Followell on piano and John Loerke on bass. Jon Weber accompanied Stacy on "I've Got a Crush on You."

Performers and audience alike joined in a final tribute to Jim: Irving Berlin’s “Always.” As the song began, a voice from the audience captured the mood of the evening: “We’re all Sullivans.”

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
October 5, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org