Anna Palermo
From This Moment On
Don’t Tell Mama, May 8, 2026
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Photo by TLR79
Anna Palermo, a rising cabaret star in Chicago, paid a visit to the Big Apple and to Don’t Tell Mama with her show From This Moment On. With music director Becky Menzie, also a Chicago star, providing fine support at the piano (and, on occasion as a back-up vocalist), director Lina Koutrakos guided the singer through an enjoyable evening of personal confessions and varied selections, many tending toward the bittersweet.
Palermo took no time in introducing herself to her audience, proclaiming herself as a naturally born risk taker. Her wit and creativity were displayed from the beginning with a swinging “Better Than Anything” (William Loughborough/David Wheat) and a well-acted self-defining “Yes” (John Kander/Fred Ebb). A lovely mashup of “Something” (George Harrison) and “He’s Got a Way” (Billy Joel) showcased her sensitivity and musicality.
One of the ongoing themes of the evening was family. This was expressed through Palermo’s tales of her devotion to her sons and her joy in introducing them to most of her favorite places in the world. She expressed this with a moving “Color Me Beautiful” by Menzie and Cheryl Coons. As an encore Palermo sang “One More Moment” written by Koutrakos in collaboration with Johnny Rodgers. The involvement of her “team” certainly reinforced the family theme. And throughout, Irwin Berkowitz, another Chicago personality, provided fine support as percussionist.
Speaking of her love of Greece and its personal importance to her, she delivered a lovely waltz arrangement of “Beyond the Sea” (Charles Trenet/Albert Lasry) and “Never on Sunday” (Billy Towne/Manos Hadzidakis). A rueful version of “Not Exactly Paris” (Michael Leonard/Russell George) was another highlight. Hopefully, Palermo will return to New York City and take us on more of her travels.
