By Bart Greenberg***When an accomplished cabaret performer finds a personal topic and expands it into a show that is funny, moving and compassionate, with a selection of songs that illuminate the subject at hand, it can’t help but be terrific. And Ronni Faust’s Thanks for 
the Mammaries was indeed a terrific evening. With the wonderful support of director Lennie Watts and music director-pianist Yasuhhikp “Yaz” Fukuoka (who often chimed in with a bit of delightful vocal back-ups), this was the gold standard of cabaret production.
The show was introduced by a splendid opening number that established the program, “This One’s for the Girls” (Aimee Mayo, Hillary Lindsay, Chris Lindsey). Announcing early on that she’s the “Great American Bitch” (Shana Taub) certainly set the tone of Faust’s persona for the show.
A clever mash-up of a group of well-known songs charted the life of women from childhood to young adulthood: “I Enjoy Being a Girl” (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II); “How Lovely to Be a Woman” (Lee Adams, Charles Strouse); “I’m a Woman” (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller); “I Can Buy Myself Flowers” (Miley Cyrus, Michael Pollack, Gregory Hein) and “I Am 
Woman” (Helen Reddy, Ray Burton)—very smart cabaret. Faust proved she is quite in charge of her own sexuality with a delightful “When You Got It, Flaunt It” (Mel Brooks) and a sultry “I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl” (Tim Brymn, Danny Small, Clarence Williams), delivered from on top of the piano.
Some of the other highlights of the evening included Faust’s unique delivery of cabaret standard “What Did You Do to Your Face?” (Susan Werner) mixing the sly humor with a notable sincerity and a wonderfully advancing antic version of “I Regret Everything” (Bill Burnett, Peggy Sartin)—including leading a sing-along with the audience that she quickly regretted. And there was a surprising, among all the humor, emotional moment in tribute to her husband with a beautiful mash-up of “It Amazes Me” (Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh) and “My Foolish Heart” (Ned Washington, Victor Young). By the time Faust reached her final number, “I’m Still Standing” (Janis Ian), the audience was ready to stand in tribute to this excellent show.
Photos by Bart Greenberg
