Liz Norton brought good gifts to her Davenport’s debut solo cabaret show, Not Complaining. She is statuesque and proud—evinced in “Big Boned Gal” (Lyrics by kd lang, music by Bert Mink) and “Fifteen Pounds Away from My Love” (lyrics by Marcy Heisler, music by Zina Goldrich). This number is nicely enhanced with additional lyrics by Norton commenting on a paramour’s discomfort with her height and said paramour’s lack of critical inches.  Her voice is okay on the bottom and delicate on the top, which enables her to plumb interpretive layers. She is especially on the top of her interpretive game in ”Life Story” (Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr . and music by David Shire).  The real life mom of four boys, Liz is especially connected to this story of a woman who handles the multiple responsibilities of parenthood, making a living and maintaining relationships with chutzpah, humor and tablespoons of resentment and regret.  As a cabaret rookie, over time Norton will no doubt become smoother in transitions between numbers and perhaps scold her piano player (as this reviewer strongly wished to) for over-playing.  We are all impressed by cascading piano riffs, but not when they are too loud and complex, smack in the singer’s moments.  In cabaret it’s about the singer and the story; the job of the accompanist is to provide support.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
December 9, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org