Singer/pianist Michelle Greenberg opened the fledgling Bailiwick Arts Center Cabaret Festival with warmth in her show, Goddess. Greenberg offers golden diction and warm vocal lilt (reminiscent of Blossom Dearie but usually more resonant). Opening with “If I Knew You Were Coming, I’d Have Baked a Cake,” made us feel right at home. Her swing interpretation of “Getting to Know You” is an intriguing approach to a familiar standard.

Greenberg shares the insights of a middle –aged goddess: the urge to carry a colorful tote is charming. We grin at her closing number, “I Love Being Here With You”—particularly the lyric about kissing Obama’s nose!

While Greenberg is engaging, the show needs some polish: it’s mostly swing and needs variation through ballads or uptempo. Greenberg needs to smooth out microphone usage as a singer/pianist. Despite these small issues, have little doubt that Greenberg will share her warm-hearted cabaret with more of us in the days ahead.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
March 20, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org