Natalie Arneson: Mama Drama

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Natalie Arneson

Mama Drama

The Duplex, NYC, 1/23/15

Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Natalie-Arneson-Drama-Mama-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Southern singer-actress arrives in NYC. Low-pay day jobs, audition merry-go-round, networking not working. Does cabaret show stressing the stresses (Sondheim’s “Another Hundred People” after peppy opener).

 But wait!!! Compensations: Natalie Arneson’s excellent vocal chops and genuine likeability instead of “Please-Like-Me!” solipsistic desperation. Her autocabaretbiography’s “star” is not on stage. She’d arrive with dreams, pluck and BABY. Persevering, passing bundle-in-bunting to her husband on subways (they worked opposite shifts), she finally starting a group of other mother/actresses. All this sets her apart as she sets out seeking a part on Broadway. She weaves tales with panache and perspective. The voice is just-right bright and impressive. But someone needs to tell her that she’s doing numbers toooooo many cabaret singers do.

 (Allow me to volunteer.) Overexposed are audience-ingratiater “I Love Being Here with You” and “Feeling Good.” I’m feeling good about the future for the starry-eyed who arrived not alone from the Lone Star State. Among other talents, she’s funny. Among other talented on-stage people: Tracy Stark leading a trio and guest “leading man”-type vocalist (“stage husband”) Joshua Dixon, whose own star is quickly rising with reason: he’s superb. Mama Drama is mega-delightful.

Natalie’s husband also took in the January show; if he returns to The Duplex when she does on February 9, they’ll need a babysitter again and, by the way, they have two kids now.

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Rob Lester

2015 is native New Yorker Rob Lester's eighth year as contributing writer, beginning by reviewing a salute to Frank Sinatra, whose recordings have played on his personal soundtrack since the womb. (His Cabaret Scenes Foundation member mom started him with her favorite; like his dad, he became an uber-avid record collector/ fan of the Great American Songbook's great singers and writers.) Soon, he was attending shows, seeking out up-and-comers and already-came-ups, still reading and listening voraciously. He also writes for www.NiteLifeExchange.com and www.TalkinBroadway.com, has been cabaret-centric as awards judge, panel member/co-host, and produces benefit/tribute shows, including one for us.