In her show, City Lights, Terri Troiano did a lot of things very well!

A change in my weekend plans brought me to the West Bank Cafe for dinner and I decided to see who was performing downstairs. Having no previous knowledge of the singer and with no press kit available, all I knew was that she was a student of the well-regarded voice coach, director and arranger, Robert Marks, and that she had a nice size crowd assembled. Although I wasn't familiar with Mr. Marks work either, it didn't take me long to hear that Ms.Troiano was in very capable hands!

She opened with the "grabber,” "Orange Colored Sky" (DeLugg/Stein) and followed it with the Gershwins' "Someone to Watch Over Me." By her third number, "Feeling Good” (Newley/Bricusse), I was able to ascertain a few things that explained the overwhelmingly enthusiastic responses of friends, family and co-workers and why this extra show had been added.

On the plus side, Troiano appears very comfortable on stage and has an easy, endearing rapport with her audience. She's a very attractive, very likable lady and it appears that she's well on her way to building an appreciative and loyal following. She often reminded me of two of my personal favorites…Margaret Whiting, in the graceful and distinctive way she used her arms, particularly her left arm, when emphasizing certain lyrics or lyrical phrases, and Edie Gorme, in her willingness to "go for it" on the "big belt" numbers. Her fearlessness did indeed reflect her own acknowledged love for Ms. Gorme and her powerful vocals.

Where she needs to focus, to firmly plant her feet at the next level, is on staying consistently "in tune" and on resisting the temptation to "shout" rather than "sing" the belt numbers she so obviously favors. In her medley from Gypsy, I felt she did her best singing was on the ballad "Small World," because her interpretation was unforced and in control.

Remembering, too, to add her "ings" and "er'" to words like "puttin'" and "takin'" and "bartendah," "lettah" and "directah" would be helpful in bringing her to that upper echelon of cabaret performing to which she should so clearly aspire.

And just one more tip...I'd wait till after the show for the "Cosmo!"

Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
October 3, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org