David Edelfelt’s Life for Dummies….Like Me explores the subject of advice: taking it, not taking it, and especially giving it. This is expressed most directly in a marathon medley of songs in the imperative (“Put On a Happy Face” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”). It’s fun and nicely placed in the show, but would likely have better comic bounce if it were shorter. Edelfelt assumes characters well in both physicality and voice. In “A Contact High”(John Bucchino), he embodies the feigned indifference of a teenager justifying bad behavior. He delivers this short number funny and true. The program’s most powerful song is “Not a Cloud in the Sky” (also Bucchino). It’s the story of someone with a nature of demanding order in life yet is emotionally freaked out by the impending death of a loved one. This character chooses to focus on the disorder and lack of control associated with the death of someone dear, until he must confront genuine grief. Edelfelt gracefully plumbs delicate layers, finding the arc that begins with prosaic denial which ultimately leads to the wrenching of the heart. He has an engaging personality and let his silvery hair down when he produced a baggie of leftover Thanksgiving turkey from the pocket of his fine brocade jacket and ”advised” an audience member to partake. That Edelfelt boasts a fine bass baritone with low notes like hot caramel is even better. Take some advice: Enjoy David Edelfelt’s music soon.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
November 26, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org