Ok, I’m not saying we’re jaded and overly cynical here in Kook City on the Left Coast, but it might take an event of biblical proportions to shock and offend a Sharon McNight audience.  Not one to mince words or ride the PC bandwagon, Sharon lets it all hang out in this show chock full of very funny, always naughty songs from old rediscovered gems (Bessie Jackson’s bluesy "Shave Em Dry" and Eddie Cantor’s "The Dumber They Come, The Better I Like Em") to modern satires (Tom Lehrer’"  "Old Dope Peddler" and Chet Atkins’ "Jesus Wears a Rolex’). 

In between, McNight added some hilarious special lyrics to the soporific "Wind Beneath My Wings," sang a rebuff to dog-eating in "Dog in Taiwan," and mocked the stoners with "Too Stoned To Care." Everyone seemed to fall under McNight’s incisive knife.  The religious right, vegetarians, and the sexually inhibited all got their comeuppance. The audience roared in approval at each sexual innuendo and well aimed barb. 

Modern satirists Randy Newman ("Political Science") and Tom Lehrer ("Vatican Rag") shared the spotlight with Stephen Sondheim ("I Never Do Anything Twice") and Kander & Ebb ("Everybody’s Girl"). Wonderfully backed up by Michael Grossman on piano, Daniel Fabricant (who seems to be everywhere) on bass and Randy O’Dell on drums, McNight made the most of this evening of material not often heard by any performers of the Great American Songbook – yet these numbers are a part of Americana. They let us laugh out loud at ourselves, exposing our morays, foibles and our less likable sore spots. By presenting this material Sharon lets us see some truth – more power to her.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
December 15, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org