“Isn’t it Romantic?”  An unmistakable essence of regret, resignation and nostalgia wafts through Karen Akers’ current show, Dancing on the Ceiling, at the Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room.  Through Lorenz Hart’s brilliant rhyming colloquialism and Richard Rodgers’ distinctive melodies, she delivers one of her most fascinating, multilayered shows.  The eloquent Akers sings with confident phrasing, precise diction, and a luscious contralto voice.  She actualizes a sophisticated chanteuse, creating a fully satisfying program, her patter selectively setting a mood to play romance against reality.

Directed by Eric Michael Gillett, the first half of the show reflects the idealistic belief that love will turn a “Blue Moon” to gold.   It is a concert of beautifully delivered standards, including a dreamy “Where or When” and “Dancing on the Ceiling,” with its feeling of obsession enhanced by Dick Sarpola on bass.

Gradually, the mood changes to disenchantment.  Akers’ showpiece is an affecting, “It Never Entered My Mind,” with its disillusionment after being jilted. The words, “I didn’t guess it”—didn’t guess that she would “mope again,” yet “hope again” to see her “darling dope again”—were poignant. Akers leaving off the last words of the song made the point even more trenchantly.

Don Rebic’s complex arrangement of “I Wish I Were in Love Again” gave Akers some problems the first night, but it came across with theatricality and flair.  Rebic interwove rhythmic phrases of “Blue Moon” and “My Romance,” underscoring Akers’ suspicion that even with the pain and strain she would “rather be punch-drunk.” The arrangement builds urgently as Akers passionately concludes that despite “the self-deception that believes the lie,” she desperately longs to be in love again.

“My Funny Valentine” is a predictable choice, but Akers also delivers the less familiar “This Funny World,” a song that seems to speak for the unhappy, maddening, immensely talented Lorenz Hart.  Love may make the world go ‘round for some but, for Hart, “It’s all a joke…This funny world is making fun of you.”  Karen Akers, however, is not so disillusioned.

Karen Akers continues at The oak Room through October 23.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
September 14, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org