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Every once in a cabaret season, an act comes along who generates buzz like a bee as to their endurance in the arena. Potent examples of same in the last twenty-five years have included Marieann Meringolo, Parker Scott, Tom Rocco and myriad others. In this case, it is absolutely newcomer Liz Lark Brown who joins their ranks. She was the winner of the 2009 MetroStar vocal competition and who, since that time, has been generating an ever-growing and mighty following several nights a week as part of the singing waitstaff at Don't Tell Mama. But oh-so-much-more than this is the fact that she has maneuvered herself into a perfect position to become a front runner in every way possible with her breakout act, entitled Tarnished. The show will return several times throughout the coming season, and her debut CD is in talks, but regardless of whatever Brown's future might hold, she has indelibly stamped herself upon cabaret as one to watch very, very carefully.
After a coupling of songs to open the show, as performed by the exquisite Danielle Grabianowski, Brown saunters into the room with all the panache of a most seasoned star; her poise is strangely evocative of a young Laurie Beechman at the Ballroom in the 1980s. After she lets fly with "Buenos Aires" by Webber and Rice, she's got us in her grasp and simply refuses to let go. And no matter how phenomenal her voice or her song selections, including the Bjork hit "It's Oh So Quiet" and "Popular Opinion" by Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock, there's nary a moment to be found when she isn't simply splendid. It's certainly much more of a pop-music-based evening, and not quite for those cabaret purists seeking only the Great American Songbook, but she's equally superb on Harold Rome's "I Know Him Well," from Destry Rides Again, and other hits from modern theatre. She has absolutely and unquestionably joined the ranks of such artists as Elena Bennett, Lauren Mufson, Elaine Brier and Lauren Echo, all of whom so triumphantly managed to merge careers in piano bar with dazzling cabaret.
In addition, Brown has a stupendous group of musicians backing her up, including Nate Buccieri on piano and vocals, Sean Harkness on guitar, Matt Wigton on bass, the aforementioned Iconis on keyboards and Heidi Weymuller on additional vocals. Director Lennie Watts has miraculously topped his glorious self with the handling of every aspect of this production, right down to the most minute detail.
An audience will never be fortunate enough to have seen Liz Lark Brown in performance. She is certain to reappear soon, and simply must be savored by all people possible.
Liz Lark Brown in the Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 12/09:
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Pick of the week
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This week, our Cabaret Pick is Elizabeth Sullivan on Sunday. She’s a lady who celebrates her birthday during this week, too (May 22). She’s a graceful, dignified, full-of-heart performer and a thoughtful, artful songwriter who does not shy away from real feelings. Whenever I see her perform, it’s a tenderly tendered mix of smile-inducers and tear duct activation.
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