Becca Kidwell
If You Hadn’t but You Did: Songs of Love, Sex and Murder
Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, November 12, 2023
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Photo: Matt Baker
The Becca Kidwell on stage in her newest show, If You Hadn’t but You Did, was not the delightful lady with the generous heart and the largest laugh you’ll find when she’s in the audience at a cabaret show. This reincarnation of Becca Kidwell in her newest show was cool, actually icy, just like the presence of a glamorous and deadly film noir femme fatale, such as Claire Trevor in Murder, My Sweet or Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity. The decadent soul of this persona was revealed step by step, even as Kidwell did a modified striptease to the rather unlikely tune of “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love,” reminiscent of Rita Hayworth’s taking off her gloves as she “Put the Blame on Mame.” The evening edged ever closer to camp without ever crossing that border, being kept in check by the singer’s icy demeanor. It was an impressive balancing act, unique and original and just a bit unnerving.
Director Jeff Harnar probably deserves some of the credit for this fine walking of the tightrope, as well as for his staging that kept Kidwell moving, wisely using all of the limited space. Kudos also go to music director Jon Weber. His arrangements showed off the singer’s voice to its best advantage. Kidwell provided the rest with her fine acting ability and willingness to go all the way with the material and her approach to it. Whether it was the hyper-romanticism of blending “Once Upon a Dream” (the melody based on a number Tchaikovsky’s score for the ballet, The Sleeping Beauty) and “Warm All Over” from the semi-operatic Most Happy Fella or the viciously hysterical (in both senses of the word) “Yolanda at the Bottom of the Stairs,” she completely embodied the mood of the material.
“Jolene” was delivered with powerful honesty, “To Keep My Love Alive” was mixed with a collection of appropriate recipes, and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” was introduced with some witty quotes from Dorothy Parker. This intelligent wit was part of this well-thought-out show, which was clever and aimed at a well-read audience, which balanced it against the seamier side of the evening. This was definitely not your grandmother’s cabaret (unless your grandmother was Sally Bowles), but it was an intriguing and constantly evolving show.
