Minda Larsen

My Southern Song

Metropolitan Room, NYC, 6/28/16

Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes

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jpg” alt=”Photo: Maryann Lopinto” width=”212″ height=”212″ /> Photo: Maryann Lopinto

I’d co-judged early MetroStar years when Minda was pleasant and game, but nowhere near as on her game as she became. The name of the game is experience, persistence, taking direction.
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In intervening years, director Peter Napolitano intervened, shaping her Johnny Mercer act. She shone. Improvement’s been shown; she’s grown and can “own” songs now she once made feel gently used. She’s used Marilyn Maye (who’d performed her own Metropolitan Mercer-themed marathon) to act as director. Comparing pre-/post-Maye Minda, and knowing well the veteran’s singing (and masterclass teaching) styles, I see wise, helpful influences: Bar raised higher, Ms. MetroStar’s higher energy sparkles; she’s in Entertainer mode, audience-pleasing prioritized. Songs-as-stories are shaped and arranged by architect Marilyn, and Barry Levitt adds fleshed-out dressings and intelligent playing to match. (Natch!)  Despite tackling material mentor Maye has aced (“Georgia…”; some Mercer), Minda’s interpretations are uniquely grand, not Grand Larsen-y.

I surrendered to city-polished Southern charm, city-polished. Maybe uber-gleeful “Mississippi Mud” overflowed (a little mud goes a long way), but emotions and choices weren’t muddy. She’s a little bit Country: “Stand By Your Man,” feminism-anathema anthem, created sense and was justified; “Jolene,” fully acted, ignited RAGE and desperation. I reckon that Minda Larsen is someone to be reckoned with and recommended by this reviewer. I found her in command, with almost everything working well. Clearly working hard, working the room—but not self-consciously so—the actress seemed in-the-moment real, but in her head fully aware of being “in the room,” taking the temperature of perhaps an especially receptive audience. Response was rapturous.

Metropolitan’s singing contest winner’s no-contest highlight: “I Had Myself a True Love,” a true gem in her multi-layered, dramatic scenario.
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Entertained and moved, I’m championing this MetroStar champ.