There was a new sparkle in the Oak Room this season - and it wasn't the decor. It came from petite, vivacious Nashville singer, Lari White, making her Algonquin Oak Room debut. Displaying pop energy, engaging humor and a silver-toned voice, she offered a mix of pop, country, gospel and Broadway numbers, as well as a generous helping of songs by contemporary writers such as Steven Lutvak, Stephen Schwartz, Carol Hall, Lisa DeSpain -- and herself. Her performances of A Cockeyed Optimist and Johnny Cash's "All Over Again" fit her naturally and well, while her interpretations of the Bergmans/Goldenberg number, "There's a Terrific Band," and Carol Hall's "Daisy Mae" displayed her ability to portray a less-sunny character. One of her own songs, "Over and Over," asked for toning down in the intimate space, but, inasmuch as this was Lari's self-described trial balloon in the Oak Room, it's clear that, with nips and tucks in the show, Lari is a cabaret comer. Eric Michael Gillette was director, and solid musical support was provided by Don Rebic at the piano and Steve Doyle on bass.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
March 1, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org