Christy Welty
First You Dream Holiday Cabaret
The Judith Hardes Theater at The Phoenix Theatre Co., Phoenix, AZ, December 16, 2019
Reviewed by Lynn Timmons Edwards
Although there was a little holiday cheer, First You Dream is Christy Welty’s homage to the three singers who most influenced her as an artist: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Barbara Cook. As one of the most sought-after vocal teachers in Arizona and a working singer/actor, soprano Welty was welcomed in her first solo cabaret show at Phoenix Theatre by a house full of appreciative artistic colleagues, friends, and family. She found the perfect opening in “Born in a Trunk” from A Star Is Born and followed it with “You Made Me Love You,” performed not as a teen but as a confident mature woman. Her tribute to Garland continued with a nice medley of “The Trolley Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” She followed with “We’re a Couple of Swells” with guest artist and choreographer Hillary Hirsch, and my favorite “I Love a Piano” which took her into her middle range.
Next, we were let in on a 14-year-old Welty who by chance saw Barbra Streisand as the opening act for Liberace on a trip to Las Vegas with her parents. After “People,” she had great fun with songs from My Name is Barbra which she resurrected from her graduate vocal recital. She finished Streisand-strong with a medley of “Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” and “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”
As a classically trained legit soprano, Welty most closely resembles Barbara Cook vocally. She gave us a musical bio from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Sondheim. She finally got pianist Steve Hilderbrand involved in a duet on “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.” He has a very smooth and relaxed vocal style, perfect for cabaret.
The most poignant moment of the evening came between verses of “Anyone Can Whistle,” which Welty performed without the mic as Cook was known to do. She shared the story of Cook’s last days on earth and the singers who came to her bedside to serenade her. Suddenly, the last verse of the song took on a deeper meaning and brought tears to my eyes.
In addition to the colorful set of trees, packages, and lights designed by Daniel Davisson, the holiday cheer included a chance for the audience to sing along with a few songs, followed by a solo of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Hirsch, and the little-known but musically rich “Happy Hanukkah My Friend” duet with Hilderbrand. Welty does not need to wait until the holiday season to take First You Dream on a cabaret tour; it serves as a starting point for sharing her life in song.
