Barbara Brussell's shows over the years have revealed her many facets: the serious singer, the story-teller-in music, the madcap, the artist whose lovely voice and interpretations can touch your feelings or your funny bone. In her newest show, Out of the Mouths of Babes - Women Who Dared, at the Metropolitan Room, Barbara has blended all these qualities into her finest show yet. Offering material inspired by women -- "they wrote it, said it or sang it," she explains -- Barbara moved smoothly, often with poignancy and passion, through songs by such writers as Dorothy Fields, Carolyn Leigh, Amanda McBroom, Dory Previn, Carol Hall and others. Standouts included Francesca Blumenthal's comic musical monolog, "Museum;" one of Previn's last songs, "20 Mile Zone"; and McBroom's poignant classic "Putting Things Away." Alec Rybeck's clean accompaniment and arrangements, along with pre-performance guidance from the director Sondra Lee, let the best of Barbara shine through -- to a well-deserved standing ovation.

Barbara Brussell continues at the Metropolitan Room Thursdays at 10 pm through through November 1.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
September 29, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org