Willemijn Verkaik, a Dutch theater star who originated the role of Elphaba in the German production of Wicked three years ago, made her American cabaret debut with a little help from her friends: Scott Alan, Jason Robert Brown and a surprise guest, the composer-lyricist of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz.  As if having three gifted songwriters at her side wasn't enough, Verkaik brought along another Elphaba (Eden Espinosa) and a respected cellist (Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf), both veterans of Broadway.

A self-described “little Dutch girl” clearly thrilled to be in such company, Verkaik was dressed in black slacks and colorful blouse, wearing her reddish brown hair long.  By the end of the evening she had sung sixteen songs, including six by Schwartz, and three encores. Verkaik has a strong presence and good projection, undoubtedly honed by her decade-long experience as a rock singer.  She had the extraordinary good fortune to perform superlative songs accompanied by the artists who wrote them.

Verkaik presented especially evocative songs from Alan’s new musical Home, a work in progress which included “Never Neverland” (“Fly Away”), “Nine Years,” with a beautiful cello introduction by Dorman-Phaneuf, and “Home,” sung with a resonance and tenderness that were most effective.  In truth, “Home” may have been her best performance. Becoming more relaxed, her voice conveyed the subtlety that Alan’s creations deserve.  Alan, who often uses his fine voice to sing his own songs, performed a stirring duet with Verkaik in “Watch Me Soar,” from his recent CD.

Jason Robert Brown, a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award recipient, joined Verkaik in “And I Will Follow,” sung with a full and mellow tone, and “Stars and the Moon,” a clever tune in which the guy promises the woman the stars and the moon, while she would prefer something more tangible like a yacht.  Dorman-Phaneuf, whose credits include A Little Night Music, Guys & Dolls and Sunday in the Park with George, perfectly complemented every performance, particularly Alan’s “Look (A Rainbow),” in which a young man converses with the older version of himself.  Following the a cappella opening, the piano and cello entered consecutively, resulting in a virtual lullaby.

Sampling the scores of Stephen Schwartz, Verkaik performed “Defying Gravity” (Wicked) in German, Dutch and English, and “Beautiful City” (Godspell), its melody like an old folk song and the words forever associated with 9/11: “We can build a beautiful city, a city of angels, brick by brick, heart by heart.” “For Good” was performed by Verkaik and Eden Espinosa, who has played Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The inspiring anthem should arguably reside in the top tier of Schwartz’s canon and, as delivered by such competent singers, was an ideal vehicle to close the impressive first outing.

Willemijn Verkaik is returning to the Netherlands to star in the Dutch production of Wicked, having appeared in the Elphaba role longer than anyone.  Given her artistry and linguistic facility, she might one day bewitch Broadway.

Jerry Osterberg
Cabaret Scenes
August 22, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org