Suzanne Carrico dipped into the lyrics of Sammy Cahn and found a treasure trove of possibilities, bringing to the Metropolitan Room a virtual tour of pop music from the 1930s through the 1960s. Of the two dozen numbers presented, half a dozen were nominated for Oscars, and many of the remainder have proved to be every bit as memorable.

The earliest Cahn tune in Carrico's show, "Rhythm in My Nursery Rhyme," was a showpiece for the attractive young performer and her cheerful delivery. Others numbers were more reflective but no less animated, including "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and a medley of Cahn songs popularized by Frank Sinatra. Judging by the smiles of recognition, it's a good guess that many in the audience were silently singing along with "I Should Care," "Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night in the Week," "Come Fly with Me," "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and "I've Heard That Song Before."

Carrico is a promising performer with a pleasing voice and an engaging manner. For one trained in opera, she adapted well to the intimacy of cabaret, although some inner-restraint seemed to hold her back, preventing her from delivering the extra jolt of pizzazz that would have made the show truly sparkle. Don Rebic on piano and Steve Doyle on bass supported her nicely. The arrangements were by Tedd Firth, Mary Cleere Harran directed and J.P. Perreaux was tech director.

Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
September 30, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org