Age is a state of mind or, more precisely, a state of “Never mind!” It’s just a pesky detail, but not one avoided by Janet Jacobs. She wears her senior status proudly, as she does her stage outfit: black tights, oversized white shirt, pink tie. As a gift, she re-ceived recent cabaret classes; teacher-director Collette Black then helmed this memoir show. But Janet’s no newcomer to performing. With lengthy swaths of storytelling, we learn how she used to sing, auditioned for Hollywood producer Mervyn LeRoy and composers Sammy Fain and Harold Arlen, who said she reminded him of Judy Garland. We still see why: Garland gusto and vibrancy is in her voice when singing with some abandon—certainly as she does the star’s A Star Is Born’s “Born in a Trunk” (truncated). Most often, though, it’s a gentle modest voice, but one that still delivers lyrics with wisdom and understanding.

One must be patient…with…the…rather…slow-lane…pace…of things; a glance at nearby notes needed to see what’s next— a moment, an “Oh yes!” and she’s ready to go on (and on). It’s often interesting or touching. Maybe both: early career as a model; married oh-so young (at 18); perspective altered when a boyfriend dies (cuing the wistful but at-peace “Hello, Young Lovers”); pursuing performing; having a daughter (who joined her onstage to duet, with affection). Pianist Norma Jean Curley accompanies supportively, but perhaps too conservatively and with some unneeded corn element. The show is as much a history of the times with pop music touchstones and tidbits—Ah, Dorothy Shay! “The Park Avenue Hillbilly.” Remember? No? It’s fun anyway—as it is the story of one woman. But what a nice, classy woman she is.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
June 30, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org