All Cloris had to say in opening her show was, “Well, I just turned 80- ****ing four,” and she had the audience eating out of her hand. Indeed, this was much more of a fanfest than a cabaret show, with Ms. Leachman reminiscing fondly about her acting career, waxing nostalgic about the love of her life, ex-husband George Englund, and showing video clips from her renowned characters.

She was encouraged in pursuing the arts from an early age. Leachman spins the funny tale of her first major acting role (opposite Katharine Hepburn), her chance of a lifetime auditioning before Rodgers and Hammerstein for South Pacific, being a member of the storied Actors Studio with Elia Kazan and winning the Oscar for her riveting and sparse role in The Last Picture Show. In between stories, Leachman sang “Love Is a Very Light Thing” about the birth of her great-granddaughter, “I Remember It Well” from Gigi (sung as a video clip duet with George Englund), “I’d Choose You Again,” as a love ode to George, and an emotional “Pass This Way Again” to honor the memory of her late son.

Leachman was always a rebel, a non-conformist, and her enduring spirit and energy are testaments to her rugged individualism. Working at what would seem a feverish pitch (she has four movies in the can), Leachman says there’ll be “no late afternoon of life for me.” An intimate evening with a legend — and there are so few legends left — has a very special appeal for fans. It shatters the fourth wall and brings actor and fan together for a fleeting, connective moment. It’s a two-way street, of course, and, after the opening night’s show, Cloris hugged and had her photo taken with every member of the audience.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 4, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org