Ann Talman

Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile

54 Below, NYC, September 14, 2022

Reviewed by Bart Greenberg

Soundly landing in the genre of modern cabaret/theater where the story is perhaps more important than the music, Ann Talman’s tribute to her co-star/fairy godmother/Auntie Mame, the one and only Elizabeth Taylor, was a complete triumph. The venue for the performance, 54 Below, added an extra bit of authenticity to the tale since the superstar was often a visitor to the celebrity room of the notorious disco that has been transformed into the current cabaret. The story of how a young woman, told throughout her life that she resembled the young Taylor in the film National Velvet, newly arrived in New York, and who was surprised to be cast as Taylor’s daughter in the Broadway revival of The Little Foxes, was told with warmth and a great deal of humor. The unexpected friendship would grow and flourish over the subsequent years as the older performer advised Talman on such essential subjects as love, romance, men, survival, and what to wear to the Emmy Awards when your boyfriend was a nominee.

This isn’t to suggest that the musical side of the evening was less significant than the story. Talman has a lovely, expressive soprano that enhanced rather than interfered with the tale she was telling. With fine support from music director Alex Rybeck at the piano, she presented such well-chosen songs as “Mira,” “Once in a Lifetime” (which showed off her impressive vocal range), and “Long Before I Knew You.” “I Could Write a Book” was given an especially intriguing treatment with an almost classical accompaniment by Rybeck. Throughout the evening, some songs were performed in their entirety and others in not much more than fragments to keep the story moving along. One of the cleverest sequences in the show was the chronological detailing of Taylor’s husbands through anecdote and song, including “Shalom” (Mike Todd), “How to Handle a Woman” (Richard Burton), and “The Second Time Around” (also Burton). Of course, the evening was bookended by “The Shadow of Your Smile,” delivered with warmth and love.

Much of the show was tremendously funny partly because so was the Taylor that Talman portrayed for us. Outrageous practical jokes were played during the run of The Little Foxes, including one hysterical occasion when the Talman topped Taylor. There was also one boozy performance where the star arranged to have all the alcohol consumed during the evening (and there was a great deal in that production) replaced with other very potent potables. These moments were balanced with Talman’s very sweet memories of a very caring and wise woman who gave her advice on avoiding marriage to a gay man, and who bewitched Talman’s father and brother when she met them. The entire evening was an ideal balance of amusement and emotional along with lovely musical moments—definitely a triumph in this genre.