KT Sullivan & Mark Nadler: Almost Like Being in Love: An Evening of Alan Jay Lerner

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KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler

Almost Like Being in Love:
An Evening of Alan Jay Lerner

Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC, November 30, 2016

Reviewed by Peter Haas for Cabaret Scenes

KT Sullivan & Mark Nadler Photo: Maryann Lopinto
KT Sullivan & Mark Nadler
Photo: Maryann Lopinto

The stars shone brightly on way-west 42nd Street late in November, as two of cabaret’s most popular entertainers joined forces in one of their rare get-togethers. The performers: KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler, extending a spirited, richly musical performing partnership that has been delighting audiences since they first collaborated in cabaret some 16 years ago. Their focus: the lyrics of Alan Jay Lerner, who contributed wit and rhyme to such Broadway hits as My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon and Camelot (all with music by Frederick Loewe), as well as films such as Royal Wedding and Gigi.

With Nadler, elegant in a white dinner jacket, at the piano, and Sullivan center stage, resplendent in a red gown, the duo moved smoothly through solos and duets in performances that made the songs seem as fresh as when they were first presented. Several numbers were re-discoveries, such as “Here I’ll Stay” from Love Life (music by Kurt Weill) and “Another Autumn” from Paint Your Wagon  and both performed by Sullivan, and ”Garbage Isn’t What It Used to Be,” performed by Nadler, from My Man Godfrey (the last show Lerner was writing, with music by Gerard Kenny). The singers joined forces warmly on such numbers as “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” (My Fair Lady) and “There’s Always One You Can’t Forget” (Dance a Little Closer, with music by Charles Strouse). In all, their show presented two-dozen separate songs, plus a final medley that strung together snippets from many of Lerner’s stage and movie works.

When it comes to delightful cabaret collaborations —in concepts and in performing—KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler together stand at the head of the class. And “class” is certainly what these two top professionals bring to their music-making.

KT & Mark return to the Beechman on December 22 at 7 pm, with additional dates scheduled through March 2017.

Peter Haas

Writer, editor, lyricist and banjo plunker, Peter Haas has been contributing features and performance reviews for Cabaret Scenes since the magazine’s infancy. As a young folk-singer, he co-starred on Channel 13’s first children’s series, Once Upon a Day; wrote scripts, lyrics and performed on Pickwick Records’ children’s albums, and co-starred on the folk album, All Day Singing. In a corporate career, Peter managed editorial functions for CBS Records and McGraw-Hill, and today writes for a stable of business magazines. An ASCAP Award-winning lyricist, his work has been performed at Carnegie Hall, Feinstein’s, Metropolitan Room and other fine saloons.