In Beckie Menzie Has No Standards, Menzie shares how her late husband, Earl, told friends that the show was “Beckie Menzie Has No Morals.” She is charming. When she belts her signature arrangement of “Fascinating Rhythym,” we are dazzled by its complex, energetic riffs. Yes it’s a standard, but Menzie-style standards take on new life. However, when Beckie Menzie the storyteller takes flight, the magic carpet ride begins.  Her very personal story of how the first piano her parents bought for her fell off the truck to shatter in the road generated an audible, collective sigh from the audience.

In Mark Hawbecker’s parody of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” the unspoken thoughts of an open mic piano host are revealed with grand humor and yet the ever-smiling weariness of someone asked to play the same tunes from Rent for the umpteenth time.  In “Just Hangin’ On,” with words by Cheri Coons and music by Michael Duff, Menzie touches hearts with the story of the aspiring boy rider who is “just hangin’ on” to the saddle horn and eventually “just hangin’ on” to life following a devastating accident in the rodeo ring.  Coons is a powerful, elegant wordsmith and Menzie does her proud.  Menzie is best known for her fine duo performances with Tom Michael, who joined the show for a few numbers. That said, with Beckie Menzie in solo flight, the journey becomes the destination.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
August 15, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org