Commissioned by the Savannah Music Festival, Andrea Marcovicci’s tribute is a thoughtful, well-crafted centennial celebration of Mercer’s life and music. The evening is evenly paced, including tantalizing tidbits and backstories, and displays Marcovicci’s intense dedication to her material. The arrangements may not be too challenging vocally, but her passion and emotion is evident in every number. The comic and fast paced “Spring, Spring Spring” can be a singer’s nightmare, but Andrea handles it deftly. During the nostalgic Jerome Kern collaboration “I’m Old Fashioned,” Marcovicci went into the audience and confiscated a texting patron’s cell phone. Humoursly remarking on how she wanted to transport us back in time, the phone was turned off, placed on her piano and the audience ate it up.

Her choice of material complimented Mercer’s lyric styles throughout his career from the cutesy romance numbers like “You Must’ve Been a Beautiful Baby” and “Too Marvelous For Words,” to the more emotionally challenging heartbreak of “That Old Black Magic” (written about his torrid love affair with Judy Garland), to his Oscar winning hits like “Charade” and “Moon River.” Mercer’s lyrics are more pronounced with Marcovicci’s accentuating acting mannerisms displayed on “Autumn Leaves” (including a French verse). Closing with the Mercer/ Harold Arlen tune “My Shining Hour,” Marcovicci basked in the adulation of her fans and seemed to glow at her own success. This Mercer tribute may be her personal shining hour.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
January 19, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org