Susan Egan and Georgia Stitt celebrated the release of their new CDs, The Secret of Happiness (Egan) and My Lifelong Love (Stitt), in front of a packed house at Show at Barre. The evening could have been called Parents and Partners as Susan and Georgia shared stories of their experiences of being pregnant at the same time, of the joys and challenges of motherhood, and of the origin and flourishing of their musical partnership and friendship. Selections from their CDs cleverly illustrated the narrative. The richness of their friendship provided an extra spark to their performances.

Stitt did triple duty at the show—as songwriter, musical director and singer. Egan showcased her own songwriting talents, having written the lyrics to “Nina Doesn’t Care” and “From the Stars,” songs for her daughters. “Nina Doesn’t Care” has a particularly moving turn to it that seamlessly takes it from being about “Me the Star” to “Me the Mom.”

“A Cockeyed Optimist” and “Children Will Listen” were the only traditional Broadway songs presented. “A Cockeyed Optimist” did have a very contemporary Stitt arrangement and Egan’s vocal floated beautifully above it. The singers blended nicely on their duet of “Children Will Listen.”

Jason Robert Brown, Stitt’s husband, came up from the audience to accompany Egan on a particularly moving take on his song, “All Things in Time.” Also in the audience was Alicia Partnoy, whose haunting poem “Communication” was set to music by Stitt.

This very personal evening was a well-balanced mix of emotion, humor and joy.

Les Traub
Cabaret Scenes
November 13, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org