Slim as a pencil in skintight white jeans and sequined stilettos, Andrea McArdle was in rockin’ motor-mode in her new show at 54 Below, The “Broad” Way.  Opening with Odyssey’s “Native New Yorker,” she celebrated her teen years on Broadway when she appeared as the original Annie. It was the ‘70s, and her song list reflected the energy and the rhythms of the city along with the influence of theater. Fired with energy, McArdle grabbed hold of the rhythms and, with her warm vibrato, she mixed the moods of pop and show tunes.

McArdle has the veteran’s know-how about choosing material that suits her husky belt and acting finesse, like Lionel Bart’s “Where Is Love?” and the lusty “As Long As He Needs Me” (both from Oliver!). Moving to the intimate side, she delivered an outstanding rendition of Stephen Schwartz’s “Meadowlark.”

With an easy stage presence, she recalled backstage anecdotes, including tales of time spent in this very room, which was, of course, the infamous disco, Studio 54. Very tantalizing for a teen. She talked about touring in Jerry’s Girls with Leslie Uggams and Carol Channing in 1984. When McArdle complained about always having to perform Annie’s “Tomorrow,” Channing reminded her that she was lucky to have a trademark song, adding, slyly, “Poor Leslie Uggams is still waiting for a signature song.”

Later, Quincy Jones’s “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” led to McArdle’s rendition of “Tomorrow,” showing an impressively mature and discerning resonance. She quipped that Annie was the last big Broadway musical that did not use microphones, admitting that the business was easier when only a few singers could hit the back wall. No problem here for McArdle, who can hit all walls, but knows she does not have to. One unfortunate tendency was her frequent and distracting references to an on-stage iPad.

Directed by Scott Logsdon, McArdle was accompanied by pianist/Musical Director Steve Marzullo, Dillon Kondor on guitar, Ray Marchica on drums and percussion and bassist Mary Ann McSweeney. The “Broad” Way at 54 Below was recorded live to be later released as an album.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
July 23, 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org