Rick Jensen, Lina Koutrakos,
Beckie Menzie, KT Sullivan
Teach Me Tonight
Davenport’s, Chicago, IL, July 7, 2017
Reviewed by Carla Gordon for Cabaret Scenes
The faculty of the Midwest Cabaret Conference joined forces in Teach Me Tonight, demonstrating that those who can teach also can do. Chicago’s own Beckie Menzie opened with a salute to Joni Mitchell, including a rich instrumental version of “Both Sides Now,” followed by the edgy “Free Man in Paris,” having much to say about the business of arts. Then she offered an innovative, spare pairing of Paul Simon’s “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” with “Slip Slidin’ Away.” Rick Jensen offered his original song, “Coney Island.” He shared an engaging story about his rude, dismissive behavior toward the then-unknown Nancy Lamott when she asked to perform his song, “In Passing Years.” He said, “No.” As a cabaret artist, Lina Koutrakos often prefers the dark side, but her set it this show was positive and optimistic. In her hands, “Teach Me Tonight” is no whiny plea. It’s jazzy and more about a sensuous offer than we may have imagined. She balances simplicity with the depth of Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love.” Following a personal and funny story about a flirtatious, unfulfilled encounter with the late Gregory Hines, she went into the zone of desire and surprise for a joyful adventure. She then segued gracefully into the wistfulness of “I Remember.” Last, but by no means least, KT Sullivan departed from the Great American Songbook to deliver Amanda McBroom’s “Dreaming” with a smooth sound and the soul of McBroom’s message about how dreaming gets us through real life. The evening’s comedy highlight was Sullivan’s “My Husband’s First Wife.” She lands lyricist Irene Franklin’s jokes just right (Music: Jerome Kern). As the song ends, we would all just as soon murder Wife Number One were she not already departed. Sullivan’s pairing of “Much More” (The Fantasticks) and “Colored Lights” (The Rink) brought reflection on what carries deeper meaning. This teaching team deserves their A+.
