Celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary was Nancy Dussault’s impetus for this lovely show extolling the virtues of romantic longevity in a world full of temporary gratifications and short-term rewards. The song choices were smart and genuinely delivered. Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh’s “You Fascinate Me So” starts the flirtation, which proceeds through all the stages of attraction to romance to commitment to relationship.  Marshall Barer and David Ross’s “Beyond Compare” displays Dussault’s deft touch with a heartfelt lyric, as does her extraordinary rendition of the Michel Legrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman  ballad “Summer Me, Winter Me.”  She shines on the lighter side, highlighting the comic nature of love in a naughty “Do It Again,” Dave Frishberg’s “Another Song About Paris,” the Fields/Schwartz ditty “A Lady Needs a Change” and Carol Hall’s “This Is My Birthday.” Appearing ever youthful, Dussault sings with the authority and experience only longevity in her craft can generate. Backed by pianist Christopher Marlowe, Dussault weaves an enticing picture of the joy and travails of a loving commitment, from Nanci Griffith’s bittersweet “Goodnight to a Mother’s Dream” to Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn’s  “Time After Time.”  A lyric from “Hooray for Love” (Arlen/Robin) sums up the evening succinctly:  “Love, love hooray for love/who was ever too blasé for love/make this a night for love.” Thanks, Nancy, for reminding us all.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 27, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org