Leanne Borghesi
Mood Swings
The Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC, May 29, 2019
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg for Cabaret Scenes
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
With the lungs of Ethel Merman, the wigs of Ann Miller, the feather boas of Julie Wilson, the humor of Sophie Tucker, and the soul of a RuPaul Drag Race winner, Leanne Borghesi laid waste to The Laurie Beechman Theatre and conquered a very willing audience. Even before she reached the stage, she was enchanting and surprising the crowd with her bold delivery of “Meglio Stassera” (“It Had Better Be Tonight)” (Henry Mancini and Franco Migliacci) as she flirted with both men and women (including a slightly non-plussed KT Sullivan).
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Once she hit the stage, she invited all to her special place, “Borghesi’s (Hernando’s) Hideaway,” complete with special lighting effects worthy of Gypsy’s Electra.
What is notable about this show is that under all the outrageousness is a smart, strong theatrical mind that knows that pairing an over-the-top “I Wanna Be Evil” and an underplayed “I Put a Spell on You” exponentially empowers them both.
When the bombast edged toward too much, a gentle, reflective “Do It Again” and a “Night and Day” delivered as a torch song with lush piano accompaniment by music director Brandon Adams drew the audience back in.
Borghesi also had fun with her other musicians, indulging in a dirty duet on “Evil” with Jim Piela on saxophone, as well as witty flirtations with drummer Don Kelly and bassist Jamie Mohamdein. Director Nick Minas provided the strongest type of guidance: invisible.
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Not only is the diva a wonderful jazz vocalist with a talent for reinventing standards (“Old Devil Moon,” “Something’s Gotta Give”), but she’s very funny as well. Throwing off one-liners worthy of Auntie Mame (“when life gives you lemons, add vodka!
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”), she was mesmerizing; interacting with the audience, she was a hoot.
An evening with Borghesi may be a bumpy ride, but it is a most satisfying one.
