Three-time Tony nominee Marin Mazzie brought her celebration of the music of Jerry Herman and Kander & Ebb to the Empire Plush Room in an evening filled with some superb comic numbers, emotionally charged ballads and of course the rousing showstoppers. Having worked intimately with the composers can't hurt and the show's song selection was smart and well arranged with accompanist Rob Herman.

Using the powerful "Yes"/"It's Today" as bookends to the show, the evening displayed Mazzie's versatility as both a vocalist and actor, allowing her voice and expression to reflect the mood and atmosphere of the music. Blessed with one of Broadway's finest voices, Mazzie can certainly pump up the volume on tunes like "The World Goes Round" and her encore "Ring Them Bells" without losing her exquisite pitch and control.

Mazzie is also a fine comic actress and sparkles in numbers like "Arthur in the Afternoon," "Where in the World is My Prince?" and "Everybody's Girl" with her natural appeal and likeability factor. She positively shined in her choice of ballads, often juxtaposing two songs into a mini medley. Beautiful versions of "Ribbons Down My Back"/"A Quiet Thing" and "Time Heals Everything"/"Isn't This Better" displayed her dramatic aspect that brought the Broadway star to the intimate realm of the cabaret.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 13, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org