Vocalist Lynn Henderson returns to Don’t Tell Mama on Saturday, June 1 at 4 PM with her show “There’s Still a Little Starch Left!” … and, according to NiteLife Exchange Publisher Scott Barbarino, who’s seen the show, she ain’t kiddin! (also see Six Questions with Henderson).
Barbarino continues: This delightful personality, who should bottle her infectious giggle, has been dealt a lot of lemon
s in the health department these past few years but she’s made the sweetest lemonade out of them. Her subtitled show “Reflections on Aging, Downsizing and… Mascara” could have depressed less spirited souls but this ain’t the stuff Lynn Henderson’s made of and watching her perform puts it all into perspective for all smart enough to see and listen.
We in our world all know that music heals and that music is life … this show is further proof and the cherry on that cake. At the performance I saw, Lynn was still assisted onto the stage by her healthcare attendant and then said attendant Mary Frances Roebuck then joined her on that stage and they launched into a choreographed dance number together, no kidding, “Two for the Road”(Henry Mancini,Leslie Bricusse).
For this upcoming show she’ll be solo except for the incredible musicians she’s gathered together to celebrate life with her. With Music Director Douglas Cohen on piano and Robert Sabin on bass she doesn’t have to worry a bit about anything in the music department. Douglas Cohen’s arrangement of “But Alive” (Charles Strouse) and “I’m Still Here” (Stephen Sondheim) was perfection which was enhanced by his solid vocal backup!
Song selections were perfect for the theme of this show and moved it along at a solid pace. There was also this medley of perfectly matched songs “If I Only Had a Brain/Heart” (Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg), “Young at Heart” (Carolyn Leigh, Johnny Richards) and “You’ve Got to Have Heart” (Richard Adler,Jerry Ross). It was brilliant and showed that great sense of humor that keeps her ticking when Lynn reveals that she was saved by a valve from a pig’s heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and felt first-hand the indomitable human spirit through Lynn. Truth is once Lynn Henderson has told you about all the parts she’s had replaced you just can’t help not standing up and applauding her!
I’ll conclude with this quote from Marilyn Maye:
“Lynn’s exuberance and her great love for the art of singing come through beautifully … She delivers the lyric with understanding, honesty and caring.”
Lynn Henderson’s upcoming performance is on Saturday, June 1 at 4 PM at
Don’t Tell Mama. There’s a $15 cover and $20/2 drink minimum. CASH ONLY! For tickets go to www.don’ttellmamanyc.com
