Megan Dwinell’s 5’3 Based in NYC Predicted a Star-in-the-Making

By Chris Struck***Megan Dwinell’s show, at Chelsea Table + Stage, 5’3 Based in NYC, may have been titled after those self tape submissions actors now make, but in so many ways her performance rose above that basic level. Eschewing the classic tropes of Broadway and the stage that many cabaret artists perform, Dwinell shared her flashy voice and personality with us in a heavily rock-themed show—and that felt truly refreshing. Her song choices looked beyond the usual, not entirely Broadway themed. One was among the top 100 karaoke songs in New York—”Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Dwinell brought that tune and more to an amped-up set of pure octane thrills. Other songs reflected her musical inspirations and the current suite of musicals she runs through at work at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in midtown, where she’s “living a childhood dream to be paid and working on Broadway.”

Dwinell showed early on that she could do a little bit of everything, especially with two medleys, a terrific “Meg’s Rock Fantasy” and “Ellen’s Songbook Medley.” Although, she often poked good fun at life at the Diner, it was clear that the work has given her the chance to perform a wonderful combination of challenging songs, including “Let It Go” and “Defying Gravity, as well as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Alanis Morisette’s “You Learn” and Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy.” Dwinnel’s voice was not only out of this world large in the airy new venue, but she also had a wonderful finesse that kept her from being totally overpowering. Song choices also included favorstes “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots, alongside AC/DC and Boston. Guest artist Cameron Mitchell Bell joined on “Back in Black,” an exceptional moment as he delivered an intense, rough and high-pitched set of lines.

With the music front and center, Dwinell spent little time on her story, but she did share a bit about what keeps her pursuing her Broadway dream, including getting back in touch with her initial musical inspirations, such as the push and pull vibration of the Nancy Drew musical’s “Find Your Light” and “Shot” by the singularly-named Lawrence.

While awaiting being cast in a musical that will give her a chance to shine, she admitted the drone of auditions can get wearying, but she’s consistently shown she’s up to the task. As she sang Billie Eilish’s song “Getting Older,” and thinking of her own aging process, Dwinell also was clear that her view is optimistic, singing Lawrence’s “Don’t Lose Sight.” I’d say there’s definitely plenty of reason to be hopeful; Dwinell has a keen ability to blend genres and even channels a bit of the young Axl Rose. When I think of the lyric from “Sweet Child Of Mine”—“Where do we go now?” and being no fortune teller, yet I predict she doesn’t have long to wait to make it to the top.

Dwinell was joined on stage by a super-talented band that kept up the pace and never slowed down. At the piano was music director James Stryska, with Carter Letsky on keys, Thomas Carley on bass, Shane Corwin on drums and exceptional guitarist Tonie Nguyen. The uber-talented Bianca DiSarro provided backup vocals.