Alissa Alter
Me Party: #Ilovemylife
The Duplex, NYC, April 5, 2018
Reviewed by Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/augmentin.htmljpg” alt=”” width=”212″ height=”212″ /> Alissa Alter
Alissa Alter’s Me Party went over better than you might have expected for a show that included a hashtag in the title. In fact, it went better than most cabarets — because Alter embodied the type of spunk and assertive, winning style that she professed to have too little of just three years before. But, oh, how life can change. And, even when growing older, how easy it is to find oneself going back to the start. Alter talked about very real issues with “adulting” in the modern world, including the “novel” (though not necessarily well-practiced) concept of going back to one’s roots. Gone was the spunky little 10-year-old who told people, “You’re not the boss of me,” but where had she gone? Inside to hibernate, it appears, because Alter wasn’t anything less than a sensational little bit of self-reliant energy packed into a 30+ year-old woman.
While certainly some of her show was about the difficulties of a divorce that left her feeling empty and alone (#rockbottom), as well as of modern dating (#ClearEyesFullHeartsCan’tLose), the main focus was about re-prioritizing one’s life and focusing on the things that really matter and then putting on a “kick-ass one-woman show” (#you’rewelcome) to describe them. One of those most memorable things was her little dog, Walter, about whom she sang an edited version of “Rubber Ducky” from Sesame Street. It sounded a little like “Santa Baby,” but with lines like “Walter Baby, you’re my very best friend/ It’s true/ Even when you poo.” She also did strong versions of the infinitely classic songs “I Don’t Care” (Jean Lenox/Harry O. Sutton, the theme of vaudeville’s Eva Tanguay and adopted later by Judy Garland) and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” (Rodgers & Hammerstein, South Pacific) with ample range!
At the end of this whirlwind of fun, complete with plenty of references to pouring oneself a dirty, I was left with only one thought: I’d like to have one (or two or five) of whatever martinis she’s having.
The talented Henry Koperski was at the keys!
