By Marilyn Lester***In her recent cabaret show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, That’s What I’d Say, singer-songwriter Crystal Lewis had plenty to say—all of it entrancing and illuminating. West Coast-based, making a rare East Coast appearance, she reminded a packed house of exuberant friends and fans, exactly why 
they adore her—not in a boastful way by any means, but by being her perky, charming and authentic self. Lewis’ narrative essentially traced her career over the last couple of decades, beginning with her early success in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre. From those gospel/spiritual roots she entered from the rear of the room singing an evocative a cappella “Precious Lord” with additional lyrics by her mother, Mary Lewis.
With her second number, her own “Paradox,” Lewis opened a window onto her trajectory as an artist, leaving no doubt about her commanding crossover into the genres of blues, R&B, rock ‘n roll and now, most passionately, jazz. Her initial breakthrough, though, and the platform on which much of her stardom developed, came with Roundhouse, a Nickelodeon comedy-variety television series that aired from 1992 to 1995, and which was noted for its edgy, 1990s punk-grunge aesthetic and its live house band. That success eventually led to a series
of successful albums and three GRAMMYnominations. And along the way in her career she has appeared or recorded with the likes of Donna Summer, Bono, Mary J. Blige and CeCe Winans among many others. Lewis tallies 57 years in age but you’d never know it. She’s youthful and reminiscent in voice and presentation of the eternally young Cyndi Lauper.
Since much of Lewis’ narrative included life philosophies in addition to biographical material, She sang a generous helping of her own songs, including, “Endless Summer,” “Mine for a Minute” and “Stars.” As for the show’s title, That’s What I’d Say, it’s from her new children’s book, Claire Clementine Finds Her Voice (illustrated by Stacey Chomiak), which also features four other down-loadable companion tracks, such as “Love Does,” also presented at The Beechman. More than just a pitch, this segment of the show demonstrated Lewis’ passion and commitment to the project’s themes of self-love, individual expression and the value of one’s own ideas and dreams. It’s no wonder that s
he’s also a vocal coach and has been a mentor/inspiration to other artists.
An expressive, animated singer, Lewis, across jazzy interpretations and creative arrangements also offered covers of a varied collection of tunes, including a delightful “Bein’ Green” aka “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” (Joe Raposo), written for Kermit the Frog in Season One of Sesame Street—another ode of self-acceptance. A medley of “Blue Skies”/”Summertime” (Irving Berlin/George and Ira Gershwin) was performed in a blues style and was a touch-point of Lewis’ relationship with her mother. Truly inventive was a jazz version of the Lennon-McCartney hit, penned for The Beatles, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” which closed a very personal show of generous proportions. On a musical note, in the spirit of mentoring, the star was accompanied by an excellent trio (piano, bass, drums) of young musicians with recent Juilliard School roots.
