The Upright Cabaret Artist in Residence series offers performers the opportunity to build an audience over a multi-week run by favorable word-of-mouth. In the case of Brenna Whitaker, word-of-mouth should ensure that all seats will be filled. She combines an easy-going manner with an ability to sing with body and soul. The resulting product is captivating. Unlike many singers with awkward or stiff pre-meditated hand-movements during a song, Brenna uses her hands and arms in such graceful and natural way that they serve as natural punctuation for the material.

Opening with a lively “If I Can’t Have You,” and then a bluesy “Since I Fell for You,” she saluted an obvious influence, Peggy Lee, with a mysterious-toned “Golden Earrings.” A slow, sensual “I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face” changed the pace effectively. Her moving rendition of “Cry Me a River” ended with a beautifully extended note. A Sesame Street/Cab Calloway salute came complete with a change into tap shoes and a tap interlude. Her song selection covered material from many decades, but she is at home in each of them. She appropriately included “All of Me” in her show and that is exactly what she offers her audience.

Les Traub
Cabaret Scenes
October 29, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org