At one of Chicago’s cozy new cozy music venues, Uncommon Ground, Claudia Hommel dished up her new show, Women of Paris. Nicely assisted by beret-clad singer-pianist Bob Moreen and accordionist Don Stille, Hommel brings high energy to this mainly French-language cabaret. Women of Paris salutes Mistinguett, Josephine Baker, Juliette Greco, Bricktop, Edith Piaf, and others. Hommel has an impressive vocal range, yet I wish she’d use her lower register more. I appreciated the conversational “Chanson Des Vieuz Amants” by Jacques Brel and Gerard Jouannest, reflecting both joys and bitterness within a twenty-year marriage. The audience was charmed by" Mon Man’ege ‘a Moi" in which Hommel pantomimes a bicycle ride through the streets of Paris (adding real bicycle bells). That Hommel’s presentation is theatrical and visual admittedly helps French-challenged listeners like me follow along.  I confess to not understanding every word. Nevertheless, might someone kindly explain my ongoing craving for crepes suzette?

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
February 10, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org