Mamie Parris
Surrender: An Andrew Lloyd Webber Thrill Ride
The Green Room 42, NYC, November 6, 2023
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
As conceived and directed by Ben Rimalower, Surrender: An Andrew Lloyd Webber Thrill Ride was a theatrical delight in large part thanks to the sensational singer/actor Mamie Parris. Summoning Lloyd Webber’s divas, from Grizabella to Evita to Norma (does he have something about women’s names ending in “a”?) but omitting Cinderella (bad or otherwise), the singer created perfect images of each of these glamorous and powerful females. Music director Brian J. Nash provided fine support on piano, and he also displayed a fine baritone. But Parris was always center stage—dramatic, funny, and passionate.
Some of the material was combined in interesting ways, including an emotional mix of “Come Back with the Same Look in Your Eyes” (lyric by Don Black) and “Could We Start Again Please?” (lyric by Tim Rice), which told its own story. The same was true for the lovely simplicity of the blending of “Tell Me on a Sunday” (lyric by Don Black) and “Anything But Lonely” (lyric by Don Black and Charles Hart). However, the dynamic highlight of the evening was a 12-minute, seven-tune song cycle that smoothly transitioned through characters, languages, duets, solos, and vocal range. “Prima Donna” (lyric by Don Black and Richard Stilgoe), was launched by Parris with a gorgeous coloratura. “Grizabella: The Glamour Cat” (text by T.S. Eliot) and “With One Look” (lyric by Don Black, Christopher Hampton, and Amy Powers) gave her a chance to show off her dramatic skills. The only surprise about this section is that it was placed near the beginning of the program rather than at the end as its climax.
Along with the well-known songs offered throughout the evening, Parris shared a very rare piece indeed. “Give Up Your Dreams” was her solo when she appeared in the Broadway production of School of Rock. She gave it her all, but it’s not surprising that this very negative song was cut from the show. Much happier moments were provided, such as with her first encore, “As If We Never Said Goodbye” (lyric by Don Black, Christopher Hampton, and Amy Powers). It was another triumph for her. She started slowly and quietly, and then she gradually built this number to a shattering climax of longing. It was wonderfully sung, and it also possessed great emotional honesty. Intertwining this with “Memory” (text by Trevor Nunn and T.S. Eliot) brought a freshness to both of these overly performed songs. Such magic made this show something very special indeed.
