Michael Feinstein continues with his line-up of sparkling cabaret partnerships and is Cheek to Cheek with the luminous Barbara Cook from September 7 to October 2. Each of his co-stars—Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Ebersole, and David Hyde Pierce—has added a unique nuance to the show. With Barbara Cook, her acting acuity and down-to-earth sensibilities provide a smart match with Feinstein’s wit and musicality as they present standards from the American Songbook. Their selections are astutely placed, and each reveals a personal emotional connection to the music, finding and illuminating the essence of the songs.

Listening as Feinstein and Cook enfold the romantic illusions of Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You” into the basic desires of “Tea for Two” (Vincent Youmans/Irving Caesar), you have to catch your breath due to the depth and empathy of these two very familiar songs. Cook is unsurpassed delivering the obsessive heartbreak in Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Her incisive, blunt delivery makes the song her own, and here it is further underscored by John Oddo’s insistent, determined piano arrangement. Cook evokes the despondency in “Where Do You Start?” (Johnny Mandel/Alan and Marilyn Bergman), after which, the heavy mood deftly changes with Feinstein and Cook’s clever and biting duet of Stephen Sondheim’s “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.”

The two set a chummy tenor for the evening with “I've Got the World on a String” (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) followed by Irving Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek.” Cook, who has commented that she is an optimist, proves it in her sprightly “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer). Feinstein performs largely in front of the piano, but he accompanies himself with the gentle and hopeful “Ever After” by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich. His vocal power is robust, displayed impressively in “You're Gonna Hear from Me” by André and Dory Previn and “Without a Song” (Vincent Youmans/Edward Eliscu/Billy Rose). The latter rang out with personal conviction and fortitude, as compelling as Barbara Cook’s exquisite “Here’s to Life” (Artie Butler and Phyllis Molinary), both stamping the show with honesty and distinction.

A prime quintet led by John Oddo on piano provides vivid backup with Aaron Heick on reeds, George Rabbai on trumpet, David Finck on bass and Warren Odze on drums.

Michael & Barbara continue at Feisntein's thorugh October2. Barbara goes solo on 9/25.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
September 9, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org