Colleen McHugh, The Duplex’s Calendar Girl, has already reached the cabaret apogee.  She has “regulars”—that is, customers who automatically come to each of her quirky monthly shows, no matter exactly when or what the theme is.  “Block off the entire month, just to be safe,” she suggests.  The regulars know that her Cole Porter celebration of Bastille Day is de rigueur, the pièce de résistance, a proven winner.   She calls it Prêt-à-Porter and what she takes off the rack are familiar tunes by Cole Porter accessorized with the dry, ironic and breezy humor of Colleen McHugh.  It’s a perfect fit.

Her comic timing is low-keyed, natural, and feels spontaneous.  While she sings well, her shows spotlight a quirky personality.  Admitting a love for all things French, she reveals, “I was born in the French town of Eau Clair, Wisconsin,” and she adds an homage to the McHugh family, “Find Me a Primitive Man,” including Porter’s second refrain in French.  That was pretty much the extent of the French language in the show, except for the opening song’s title, “C’est Magnifique” and “Ça C’est l’Amour.”

McHugh is backed here by versatile Musical Director/pianist Tedd Firth with Steve Doyle on bass and Sean Harkness on guitar, each bringing musical personality to every song. Firth’s piano embellishes a confident version of “Can Can,” building with energy and key changes as McHugh holds firmly to the dizzying lyrics. Almost firmly—there was one line repeated; still this was a plucky rendition.  McHugh’s zesty pairing of “It’s All Right With Me” began with Doyle’s bass intro, and Firth and Harkness picking up the tempo before moving into “Just One of Those Things.”  Those two songs always complement each other, don’t they?  McHugh delivered her ballads with sensitivity and savvy phrasing, even if she sometimes followed them with an unexpected jibe.  After the warmth of “Do I Love You?” McHugh quipped, “Here’s what I hate about this song…”  An astute mood break and no damage done.

For your French connection, or for any connection of songs and humor, keep an eye out for Colleen McHugh.  Hint – her August theme at The Duplex is My Stupid Mouth, and it’s dedicated to her dental visit.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
July 16, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org