Amy Beth Williams is the second runner-up in this year’s MetroStar Talent Challenge.  Her opening number, “I’m All Right” (Becker/Klein/Peyroux) set a nice stage for what I hoped would be a good evening. Sadly, however, for me, the show seemed to unravel from thereon.

What I like about Ms. Williams is her dry sense of humor. It might be a little too dry at times, but it’s engaging and funny and cute.  She also has a lovely, strong voice.

My main complaint is what appears to be a lack of emotional connection with her songs.  Too many times I felt as if she were outside the song, rather than in it, and sometimes this took the form of a build of volume, not backed up by emotion in the lyrics.  I also think her song choices, while incredibly interesting and unique, need rethinking a bit.  For example, she may love Leiber and Stoller’s “Tango,” but it was clear many in the audience didn’t appreciate it the way Ms. Williams did.  Her best song of the evening was “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” (Shire/Bergmans).

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
October 4, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org