What would a world without Irving Berlin be like? It’s sad to contemplate that sometime in the future, it’s possible Irving Berlin’s songs—along with the entire Great American Songbook—might be a dim memory, the subject for some Ph.D. thesis. But, if Berlin continues to get the kind of passionate artistic approbation like The New York Pops’ Irving Berlin: Rags to Ritzes, thoughts of his artistic extinction would be premature, to say the least. Berlin’s songs were treated to warm-hearted performances by this orchestra under the direction of guest conductor, Jack Everly, and the strong interpretations by the five fine singer/actor guest artists.

Everly, a delightful host and narrator, filled the program with virtually every famous Berlin song, sadly avoiding his lesser-known songs. However clichéd the programming was, the performances were anything but.

Ashley Brown, late of Mary Poppins, Hugh Panaro of The Phantom of the Opera, James T. Lane of The Scottsboro Boys, NaTasha Yvette Williams (Dessa Rose, etc.) and Tony DeSare, cabaret and concert artist, went through more costume changes than most Broadway shows, singing their hearts out in several Berlin medleys.

After an enthusiastic, but undistinguished, full-cast performance of “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” each singer had several terrific moments.  In the “Steppin’ Out Medley,” Mr. Lane danced a sassy bit with Ms. Brown, who, throughout this show, threw off her super-nanny mantle, replacing it with a warm-blooded sensuality. She was handed off to each of the male contingent as they sang “Cheek to Cheek,” “Change Partners,” “It Only Happens When I Dance with You,” ending with a rousing “Shakin’ the Blues Away.”

There was a “Holiday Medley” and a “Sisters Medley” sung by the two ladies, which featured a super “You’d Be Surprised,” sung by Ms. Williams in Red-Hot-Mama mode, and as sensual a “They Say It’s Wonderful,” as anyone could wish, from Ms. Brown. Ms. Williams also nearly stopped the show with a passionate “How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky),” as did Mr. Panaro with a full-bodied “Blue Skies.”  Ms. Brown’s “What’ll I Do?” evoked tears. Mr. Lane, the light-footed dancer of the ensemble, was irresistibly stylish in “Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” and Mr. DeSare displayed pianistic chops as he crooned “Play a Simple Melody” and “I Love a Piano.”

The highlight of the program was a patriotic medley that ended with “God Bless America.”  Mr. Everly had asked all the veterans in the audience to rise and then dedicated these “Irving Berlin’s America” songs to them.  It was impossible not to be moved.

Joel Benjamin
Cabaret Scenes
October 14, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org