Cabaret Scenes Review

Reading love letters is unabashedly old-fashioned and romantic. Singer Lari White presents a Valentine's show succinctly called, Love Letters, at the Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel. She reads segments from love letters written by historical figures like Abigail Adams, Dylan Thomas, and Robert Browning, and links them smoothly to her song list of love—discovered, lost, and regretted. She even tackles Sondheim, with the fairy tales' wicked undercurrent warning through Into the Woods with "A Very Nice Prince" and "Steps of the Palace." She is not quite as compelling illustrating the yin and yang of marriage in "Sorry/Grateful" from Company.

Dressed in a glamorous scarlet gown, White looks like a Valentine herself. She is a polished, rangy singer and has a comfortable connection with the audience, reaching all corners of the Oak Room. She proves sensitive to ambling down many musical side roads, from country to Strayhorn. Some renditions are successful, like the reading from Bock and Harnick's nostalgic, “Dear Friend” and "Will He like Me? (She Loves Me). Victor Young and Edward Heyman's "Love Letters" is also delivered with a clear smooth tone.

Most unusual and more touching is the country honesty of “Box of Love Letters from Old Mexico,” by Leslie Satcher. The song is a snug fit with White's country/gospel roots. It relates a mistress' bittersweet honesty about her lover's wife: "She'll always throw your parties at work," while the mistress remains, "...only be something that you'll never show."

What does not work well is Billy Strayhorn's, "Lush Life." White fails to inhabit the despair of the song, demonstrating alcoholism by brandishing a wine glass.

A standard for many Valentine's shows is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” (Michel Legrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman), but how was it enhanced by following it with an uninspiring, “Is That All there Is?” (Lieber and Stoller).

Accompanied by Don Rebic on piano, Steve Doyle on bass, and director, Eric Michael Gillett, Lari White delivers a Valentine's show that is intimate and loving. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

Lari White brings Love Letters to the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room from February 12 to March 1, 2008

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
February 12, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Lari White Love Letters The Algonquin's Oak Room New York, NY
Reading love letters is unabashedly old-fashioned and romantic. Singer Lari White presents a Valentine's show succinctly called, Love Letters, at the Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel. She reads segments from love letters written by historical figures like Abigail Adams, Dylan Thomas, and Robert Browning, and links them smoothly to her song list of love—discovered, lost, and regretted. She even tackles Sondheim, with the fairy tales' wicked undercurrent warning through Into the Woods with "A Very Nice Prince" and "Steps of the Palace." She is not quite as compelling illustrating the yin and yang of marriage in "Sorry/Grateful" from Company. Dressed in a glamorous scarlet gown, White looks like a Valentine herself. She is a polished, rangy singer and has a comfortable connection with the audience, reaching all corners of the Oak Room. She proves sensitive to ambling down many musical side roads, from country to Strayhorn. Some renditions are successful, like the reading from Bock and Harnick's nostalgic, “Dear Friend” and "Will He like Me? (She Loves Me). Victor Young and Edward Heyman's "Love Letters" is also delivered with a clear smooth tone. Most unusual and more touching is the country honesty of “Box of Love Letters from Old Mexico,” by Leslie Satcher. The song is a snug fit with White's country/gospel roots. It relates a mistress' bittersweet honesty about her lover's wife: "She'll always throw your parties at work," while the mistress remains, "...only be something that you'll never show." What does not work well is Billy Strayhorn's, "Lush Life." White fails to inhabit the despair of the song, demonstrating alcoholism by brandishing a wine glass. A standard for many Valentine's shows is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” (Michel Legrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman), but how was it enhanced by following it with an uninspiring, “Is That All there Is?” (Lieber and Stoller). Accompanied by Don Rebic on piano, Steve Doyle on bass, and director, Eric Michael Gillett, Lari White delivers a Valentine's show that is intimate and loving. Isn't that how it's supposed to be? Lari White brings Love Letters to the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room from February 12 to March 1, 2008 Elizabeth Ahlfors Cabaret Scenes February 12, 2008 www.cabaretscenes.org

Lari White

Love Letters

The Algonquin's Oak RoomNew York, NY

The Algonquin's Oak Room
New York, NY