If they charged a dollar per laugh provided by veteran Marta Sanders’ performance, it would be the most prohibitively expensive show in town. Fortunately, that’s not the price structure for this superbly structured act. And the comedy and quips are just part of a well-rounded presentation. She also has a knockout belt voice for Broadway fare, soaring with “On a Clear Day You Can Forever,” and full of carpe diem, grit and self-deprecation for “But Alive” from Applause. And applause on that and everything was plentiful and plenty deserved. Savvy and sly, with sass and sparkling eyes, this pro nails her moments and milks the reactions just enough. There’s a winking, conspiratorial “Let’s all have fun” contract sealed with the audience from the start. This is a true entertainer who knows every shtick in the book, decidedly “old school” in the best sense. Her loopy, broad characters are sublimely silly in song and speech and come with thick accents, costumes and attitude.

If it all sounds very big, it is—thus, the proscenium stage of The Triad is ideal; there’s no worry of being overwhelmed with things being too in-your-face. For a change of pace, and a nod to her roots, our señora sings “Besame Mucho.” Best of all are the delicious special material songs provided by lyricist Jay Jeffries and composer/Musical Director/pianist John MacMahon, plus the oh-so-French “Marthe of Montmartre” piece by Francesca Blumenthal. Ready, willing and able to please, tease and seize every opportunity to dazzle and delight, Marta Sanders succeeds on all levels.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
February 7, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org