Emily Bergl: Til I Get It Right
54 Below, NYC, June 13, 2014
Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes
No longer the sexy flapper/ingénue, Emily Bergl has morphed into the slightly shady lady-with-a-past for Til I Get It Right at 54 Below. All the songs she and her musical director Jonathan Mastro chose share a world-weariness, at least as interpreted by Bergl, her voice richer and subtler than ever. “Toxic” (Britney Spears/Cathy Dennis/Henrik Jonback), a backhanded come-on was the opener. She turned “Makin’ Whoopee!” (Donaldson/Kahn) into a dark tale of the futility of love, and took Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “People Will Say We’re in Love” as a warning.
“Don’t Explain” (Herzog/Holiday) was sung as a pained, but clear-eyed expression of a put-upon woman. “I Wish I Were in Love Again” (Rodgers & Hart), similarly, was interpreted by a lady not too high on love. “Christmas Card from a Hooker” (Tom Waits) was almost wistful, until the last line.“Let’s Wait a While” (Janet Jackson/Jam & Lewis), a song about waiting for consummation was given a light touch. “I Have Confidence” (Richard Rodgers) was turned into a tongue-in-cheek anthem. She addressed “You Belong to Me” (Pee Wee King/Chilton Price/Redd Stewart) to her audience, ending on a note of irony, for a program devoted to a sardonic view of love.
Yair Evnine on guitar/cello and Alan Brady on woodwinds completed the fine musical ensemble.
