The Way of the Heart: The Music of Amanda McBroom

Terri Allen & Beverly Cosham

Next Stop Theatre, Herndon, VA, June 20, 2014

Reviewed by Michael Miyazaki for Cabaret Scenes

At the beginning of their show celebrating the work of Amanda McBroom, Beverly Cosham and Terri Allen pointed out the way McBroom’s work “celebrates women and the connection we all have.” That point of view was emphasized with a selection of songs that played out like scenes from cabaret home movies. There were images of youthful yearning (“Make Me a Kite,” co-written with Michele Brourman), mature love (“Whoever You Are”) and even very late-blooming romance (“Old Love”).

Cosham was particularly effective with the turn-on-a-dime narrative of “Putting Things Away” and in conveying the straightforward lust of “In His Hands” (with Brourman). Another highlight was Allen’s performance of McBroom’s quintessential mother/daughter song, “The Portrait,” and her version of “Round” (co-written with Joel Silberman) was as rich and tasty as the crème brûlée mentioned in the lyric.

George Fulginiti-Shakar provided musical direction that allowed each singer to clearly express her interpretation of the material.