Broadway veteran Rebecca Luker (Nine,The Music Man, and most recently the mother in Mary Poppins) served up a varied and multifaceted musical performance. Although a charming and unpretentious person, her singing for the most part was passionate and sophisticated. A legit soprano, she none the less possesses a full middle and lower voice as well. At times slightly fluttery, she sang best when immersed in a “power ballad,” such as Nine’s unique and moving “In a Very Unusual Way,” and the heartrending (music and lyrics by Jule Styne/Carolyn Leigh) “Killing Time.”

Ms. Luker’s repertoire ranged from great (“Why Was I Born?”) to unfortunate, the latter being “Lovely Lies” - (music and lyrics by Jeff Blumenkrantz and Beth Blatt) - a vulgar, poorly written narrative as sung to the character’s mother. It is an insulting (to everyone) comparison of a Southern life versus one in the Big Apple. This banal discourse wheedled on with regards to the grits, alcoholism and religion of the South versus an “enlightened” NYC – a supposed Utopia, where women are allegedly completely comfortable in their explicit dissection of private acts. Probably not a great way sell the city to Mama. This type of faux-shocking, yet “heartwarming/ sophisticated” piece should not be allowed entry into the American Songbook.

An attractive woman with a fit figure, Luker dressed down in a blouse and slacks, with her hair hanging limp and unstyled – not appropriate for a magnificent venue such as the Allen Room, as she is not a folk singer, but a diva!

She sang with a trio and would have surely benefited from a small string section and some percussion to warm things up a bit. Being a performer of such grand talents in a big auditorium, Rebecca could have certainly handled a sizable orchestra.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
January 14, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org