Michelle Johnson
Girl Power! A Celebration of Musical Sheroes
Myron’s at the Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV, June 22, 2025
Reviewed by Jeanie Carroll
Girl Power! A Celebration of Musical Sheroes opened with a medley of “Defying Gravity” (Stephen Schwartz), “Run the World” (Beyoncé Knowles/David Taylor/Terius “The Dream” Nash/Wesley Pentz/Adidja Palmer/Nick van Der Wall), “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (Robert Hazard), and a countrified “This One’s for the Girls” (Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey/Aimee Mayo). The arranger for this medley was the incomparable Michelle Johnson! She surprised the audience by being IN the audience as the first notes rang out.
Johnson followed that with the “Pioneer Medley,” which included the bluesy and suggestive “Sugar in My Bowl” (Clarence Williams/J. Tim Brymn/Dally Small) and the more honky-tonk “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” (Porter Grainger/Everett Robbins). Las Vegas’ “First Lady of Jazz” excelled in these genres as well. She wowed us with a performance of “Rosie the Riveter” (Redd Evans/John Jacob) with its many rapid-fire lyrics. She told Rosie’s story in an upbeat and swingy way, and she was the symbol of female empowerment, to which this entire show was dedicated. This tune featured only bass accompaniment by the remarkable Jon Belzaguy.
Peggy Lee’s classic female blues song “Why Don’t You Do Right” (Kansas Joe McCoy/Herb Morand) brought out Johnson’s sultry yet subtle alto side. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Something Wonderful” showcased Johnson’s command of what is almost a Broadway aria along with the musical mastery of pianist Dan Ellis. Her voice was simple, soft, clear, and sweet as she used her lyric-soprano vibrato even on the low notes. It was as refreshing as iced tea on a hot summer day.
Johnson and her vocal entourage returned with a Girl Group Medley that featured the sounds of Motown starting with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (Gerry Goffin/Carole King) and “Jimmy Mack” (Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland/Eddie Holland). The Motown sound continued with Supremes and more Holland-Dozier-Holland songs: “Baby Love,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” in addition to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Nicolas Ashford/Valerie Simpson). The audience clapped along for these fan favorites.
More Motown came with the Soul Divas Mashup of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Barrett Strong/Norman Whitfield) and “Respect” (Otis Redding). These classics made us want to dance in the aisles. Johnson’s versatility sparkled as she rose to all of Aretha Franklin’s notes with the same much strength. Be-boppin’, knee-slappin’, and toe-tappin’ throughout the wonderful evening just couldn’t be helped as we were regaled with talented and prodigious musicians from among Vegas’ best.
“Superwoman” (Karyn White) was number one on the R&B charts in 1989. In 1999, Gladys Knight produced a version that featured the icons Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle and added Stephanie Mills. Johnson breathed new life into the song and channeled her inner Patti Labelle in her powerful, emotive delivery. The song featured Johnson’s three background vocalists: Karalyn Clark, Gret Menzies Gonzales, and Nicole Pryor. They shined as soloists several times during the show and backed with Johnson with their riffs and harmonies.
Guest singer Robin Vincent took command of the stage with “You Don’t Own Me” (John Madara/David White). Shimmering in white, she rocked it. It was apropos since she knew and had sung with Leslie Gore. Vincent is a multifaceted performer who is a member of the premier vintage trio Swing City Dolls and kills it with the ‘80s rock band Whip Its in residency at Harrah’s.
The audience applauded at start of “I Will Survive” (Dino Fekaris/Freddie Perrin), which segued into “Flowers” (Miley Cyrus/Gregory “Aldae” Hein/Michael Pollack) and included sampled riffs of “I Will Survive.” Johnson slayed! Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” had a refreshing twist as it was performed as a bossa nova; it was this night’s surprise golden nugget. Johnson left no crumbs. “What Was I Made For” (Billie Eilish O’Connell/Finneas O’Connell) and “Try” (Colbie Caillat/Antonio Dixon/Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds/Jason Reeves) allowed all of us to revel in the virtuosity of Ellis on piano and Steven Lee on guitar.
“The Right Track,” an original song by Johnson, began with a rubato gospel feel with just piano. When the high-hat joined in subtly in the background, the rhythm picked up, then it exploded with the tight harmonic background vocals, Lee’s riveting guitar solos, and the passion of drummer Don Meoli’s tempo and Brenda Cowart’s subliminal synth. Everyone shined in this one!
For the duet with Robin Vincent, Johnson chose “For Good” (Stephen Schwartz). Their voices blended, and their balanced vocals floated out to us like moonbeams on the water. On this one, Vincent’s voice was reminiscent of Kristin Chenowith, and it fit perfectly. We enjoyed how they traded harmonies, which made this version more their own.
Musical Sheroes included the 2010 decade’s music, and the Warrior Medley took us on an inspirational ride. “Fight Song” (Rachel Plattan/Dave Bassett), “Roar” (Katy Perry/Lukasz Gottwald/Max Martin/Bonnie McKee/Henry Walter), and “Brave” (Patrick Doyle) complemented each other in message and music. Also featured in this extravaganza was Cowart on synth.
A funkified “Defying Gravity” reprise closed this tribute to our Sheroes. This presentation was not just for women. It was a celebration of the various women in our culture that have born the burdens and risen above them, who have inspired their families and their communities as they found their own spark and encouraged all of us to find ours.
