“On the subway, a man bit me. Then he gave me his business card.” Keri Heidecker claims that, oddly, odd people seem to come her way a lot. Is it her lot in life to be a Freak Magnet? I’ll bite. It’s the premise of her so-named cabaret act, with much talk, much singing and much talent. There are spiffy songs and anecdotes about “horrifying” experiences. She may have had awful times, but she’s awfully funny as she cutely relates job horrors, meeting her boyfriend’s parents and the several giant uncaged birds they keep as pets, or just her pet peeves. Whether singing an original song by her pianist/Musical Director Rick Jensen, parody lyrics to “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” or revealing a sweet and pretty voice on “Teach Me Tonight” (she married a fellow teacher), she’s entertaining. The show is a fine example of how savvy director Lina Koutrakos avoids manufacturing cookie-cutter cabaret contestants. Koutrakos can capitalize on and focus a performer’s distinctive qualities, personality and experiences.

Heidecker is plucky and bubbly, singing with zip and vigor. She could probably just as easily do a successful stand-up comedy show, providing a good LOL. But I’m glad she’s chosen the story-song combo, as she’s a nifty “musical comedy”-style talent with a solid singing voice. Her storytelling sensibilities and sense of comic timing are also there with song performance: pointed phrasing and a knockout punch. Perky and quirky, this Freak Magnet should be an audience magnet, too.

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
November 5, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org