The Lineup with Susie Mosher

Birdland Theater, NYC, February 25, 2020

Reviewed by Marilyn Lester

Cross Carol Burnett with the comedic Kaye Ballard, and add a dash of Ed Sullivan and the result is bound to be singer-actress-emcee Susie Mosher. Since debuting her “wild, anything-goes” variety show, The Lineup! in July 2018 at the new Birdland Theater, folks have been lining up to see a weekly array of talent that ranges from A to Z and might well include Topo Gigio the Italian Mouse. Mosher is, herself, as unique as her show. A strong suit is her ability to be spontaneous; her improv and on-the-spot numbers and narrative include never-miss observations, commentary, and generally funny bits.

At this particular The Lineup! the talent was, as is the norm, a mixed bag of entertainment. Two groups provided close-harmony wonders. Highline Vocal Jazz, a quintet inspired by Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, and others, put a contemporary spin on “Fever.” Two members of The Ladybugs band who double on ukulele and percussion, leader Martina DaSilva and Vanessa Perea, offered a modern throwback to “I Surrender Dear,” and Blake Allen, pianist/arranger with singer Kooho Verma amazed and wowed with a stunning deconstructed “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.” Ira Lee Collings, the “Gay Geezer,” charmed the audience with his 84-year old’s adorability. Beyond that, he has a sharp talent for comedy. His snappy and perfectly phrased and timed Bill Zeffiro original soon had the audience joining in on the refrain. Also in the comedy department was zany business from Kenn Boisinger.

Two legit vocalists, Lisa Viggiano (with Tracy Stark on piano) and Joan Ryan, offered standards that began as slow story songs and then opened up to a brighter, faster tempo. Viggiano’s number was the rock classic, “On Broadway,” and Ryan delivered “ Shall We Dance” from Broadway’s The King and I. Going out with a big, brassy flourish, those show broads, Marta Sanders and Leanne Borghesi, offered a slice of their larger-than-life show Show Broads with comic flair, amazing vocals, and the kind of high energy that leaves everyone plain happy if not wanting more. And, oh yes, in the mix there was a raffle.