“Words, words, words…..I get words all day through. . .”  No, this is not a line from a Marcy & Zina song, but these gals are the essence of lyrics and lists.  They write a hail storm of words about everyday people, living everyday lives, doing everyday things like “You’re Just 15 lbs. Away From My Love, Baby” and “What Do I Want in a Woman” – from the male perspective – brilliant, unassuming, smells like a cinnabun, like Julia Roberts, Julia Childs, the perfect girl for me. . .a girl with any color hair, who walks and talks and breathes. . .Whew!   Another “list” song was “Boys From Baltimore” featuring all the reasons why a gal wouldn’t want to fall in love with any. 

This favorite creative team is witty, lovable and finally on the verge.  Yes, on the verge of making it big in an industry filled with talented songwriters. The “Taylor, the Latte Boy” fame gals have lots of irons in the fire, including the musical version of the movie Ever After, a realistic Cinderella tale, which they are now writing and from which they presented three songs: “Who Needs Love,” “Right Before My Eyes” – sung by guest tenor extraordinaire Scott Coulter, and the beautiful ballad “Ever After – Love Goes On.”

Scott was also highlighted on one of his favorite ballads “Welcome the Rain” ("The Rain Song") sung with great passion. Another guest artist featured as the Prince in a recent reading of Ever After was Jonathan Rayson (Little Shop of Horrors, Frog & Toad, I Love You, You’re Perfect…) singing the humorous “Leave.”

Patter was quick and spontaneous and much of the time seemed unrehearsed. Just the way audiences like it!   Speaking of audiences, the room was filled to capacity with Marcy and Zina fans and even a few ex-boyfriends as well as the current love of the vivacious Marcy Heisler. Anxious to acknowledge her new beau she couldn’t wait to sing “Love Like Breathing, Love Like You.”

It’s a rare occurrence to also find songwriters who sing as beautifully as these two gals.

Zina, with her clear-as-a-bell soprano and Marcy with her pop-rock alto (although she did hit a high C), complement each other like hand in glove. Zina is also a top notch pianist and it’s great fun to listen to them banter and to watch these gals perform.  They were ably assisted by musicians Clay Ruede on cello, Michael Croiter on drums and Jordan Jancz on bass.

We wish this team much deserved success and hope to see and hear more soon.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
July 28, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org