Review: WILHOITE'S LIVING ROOM

About eight months ago, actress/singer Kathleen Wilhoite began performing the first Monday of every month at the E-Spot Lounge, formerly Upstairs at Vitello's, with a show entitled Wilhoite's Living Room. It is described as an evening of music, poetry reading, guest stars and comedy. I was curious. I had long been a fan of Wilhoite from her TV appearances on ER and in several MOWs. She is a helluva character actress, edgy, quirky and always an engaging standout. When you see her onscreen, regardless of the size of the role, you remember her long afterwards. What I did not realize was that she is also a fine musician... until I googled and read about her background growing up in Santa Barbara and singing in choirs. She eventually produced two CDs, and several of her original songs have been recorded for movie soundtracks. So, exceedingly interested in hearing her, I decided to check out Wilhoite's Living Room on Monday, April 4 at 7: 30 pm. What a fun and exciting surprise was in store!

At first glance it was certainly much more relaxed and freer in structure than most cabaret shows I have been used to. Kathleen came onstage, sat at the piano and proceeded to rattle off her list of performers and what they would be doing...monologues, including Shakespeare. Not your typical cabaret fare! Oh, so challenging... even in her mind, as she expressed nerves about carrying it off. How did this idea come about? She explained that she is about to do a Masters program, so her monologue from A Winter's Tale would be... like an audition. She was thrilled that she would be joined by favorite actor friends Lisa Harris, Dean Cameron, Craig Anton and Xander Berkeley, who would also essay readings, and monologues, both contemporary and Shakespearean. There would also be music interspersed by Kay Hanley and by Ty Stevens and Mamie.

Wilhoite then proceeded to accompany herself on the piano with a song she had written that said it all..."You Should Have Heard Me in My Living Room". Her big, belty yet intimately passionate singing voice amazed me. What a fine musician...was all I could think, as I enjoyed the sound. No sooner did she finish playing when she sprang up from the piano bench and literally burst centerstage into the monologue from A Winter's Tale, summoning up all the intense passion and fervor I had been used to seeing in her work on film. She got a deserved thunderous ovation.

Without further ado, Kay Hanley, with guitar in hand, came onstage and played "Wrap Me Up in a Red Velvet Blanket (I'm So Happy To Be Here)" to the delight of the audience. There followed a breathtaking monologue from King Lear from Cameron; a song from Ty and Mamie: he plays guitar and she sings divinely; a monologue, done humorously, from Hamlet - yes, a funny Hamlet by Craig Anton: he explained that in rehearsing Shakespeare, he has always felt the need to amuse himself. Then, for me, came a piece de resistence of the evening, another monologue from Wilhoite, this time contemporary: Bananas from John Guare's House of Blue Leaves. This is the one about the disastrous experience in New York City traffic driving Lyndon Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, Cardinal Spelman and Bob Hope. It's hilarious and Wilhoite absolutely nailed it... with pathos and great comedic style.

After a short break, Wilhoite returned to the stage with musicians Chris Joyner on piano, Ric Markman on bass and David Harte (her hubbie) on drums for a short concert. This included her original compositions "Symphony", her ode to the music business; a very gentle "Broken Wing Bird"; "Bury Your Head in the Sand" and "One Foot Out the Door". Hers is a pop, country style that is distinctive and fresh, especially the last one that had a story attached. She claimed she wrote it about her marriage during a bad patch, as she turned to drummer Harte and said assuringly, "We're in a good patch now". The terrific set concluded with two familiar tunes "Knock on Wood" and "Midnight Train to Georgia", where audience were invited to sing along.

Being a huge fan of Wilhoite's acting work, I was more than delighted with her singing. She puts everything she's got into it, For me great singers are indeed great actors first and foremost. The raw emotion that comes pouring forth in her work is palpable, and her music is definitely a mouthpiece for women...of every type. There is a refreshing abundance of guts and courage, uber talent, warmth and a wry sense of humor all rolled into one great gift package that is Wilhoite's Living Room, so don't miss it...the first Monday of every month at Vitello's E-Spot Lounge. I'll be back!

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