Hailing originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this young singer-songwriter is now on her third show in New York and it’s obvious she’s putting in the time, creativity and dollars it takes to learn the art of performance magic, summed up in two words: “truth” and “honesty.”

Derow is choosing material that speaks to and about her on this musical journey. She has a good soprano voice that flows easily and her comfort zone lands her in the midst of a range of contemporary songs like Dar Williams’s sweet story-song “The Babysitter’s Here” and “Crazy on You” (Ann & Nancy Wilson/Roger Fisher) on which raw, passionate emotions soared.

Other material included the Heisler/Goldrich “Compromise,” a fine, bluesy rendition of “Coming In and Out of Your Life” (Richard Parker/Bobby Whiteside), a duet with Jason Reiff on “Bring Me to Life” by the rock band Evanescence (Ben Moody, Amy Lee & David Hodges) and a song she says speaks volumes to her, “Fleet of Hope” (Emily Sailers), in duet with Suzanne Fiore.

However, the majority of material was rock-driven, and for this reviewer, a little too loud and screaming for a cabaret setting. This goes to the essence of “What is cabaret?” Or is cabaret morphing into a wider range of music? Provoking new thoughts? Back-up singers Fiore and Reiff added good harmonic and dramatic edge, along with Sean Harkness on guitar, Donna Kelly, percussion and the ever-amazing talents of Musical Director Tracy Stark. Lennie Watts directed.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
June 25, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org