Don't Miss KT Sullivan at Center Stage Through Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010

New York has come to Baltimore for the week-end.  First, the New York Yankees invade Camden Yards to play the hot Baltimore Orioles. Then, the Oak Room at the famous Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan has been magically transferred to Baltimore's Center Stage where the incomparable cabaret chanteuse KT Sullivan is performing through Sunday afternoon with the incomparable Jon Weber on the piano (who performed the entire night without any sheet music).

For those theater-goers who have never heard of Sullivan (like me), you are in for an amazing treat as she demonstrates her superb voice, comedic  timing, and wonderful theater anecdotes that will entertain all ages.

Kathleen Sullivan had to change her name to KT since, under Actor's Equity rules, the name was already in use. Her pedigree is quite impressive. (I do wish Center  Stage would issue programs so audiences could read about her background.)  She's appeared on Broadway and touring productions of The Three Penny Opera (with Sting), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Annie Get Your Gun.

The packed Head Theatre was an appreciative crowd and for good reason. Sullivan sings a wide range of Broadway tunes infused with emotion, passion, sensuality, humor, and just plain fun. She appeared in a classy lemongrass sequined gown which featured a cowl neck.

Her repertoire included many popular tunes and many the audience was hearing for the first time.

She opened the evening with "Try to Remember" from The Fantasticks which featured a quick tempo. She followed that with the title song from Do I Hear a Waltz.

Her anecdotes about theater were entertaining. She talked about the draw of New York City where every night on Broadway, 1,000 dreams are born. Then she did a rendition of "Dainty June and The Farm Boys from Gypsy.  Sullivan would be a terrific Mamma Rose.

Center Stage recently did a wonderful production of The Boys from Syracuse. She sang the famous "Falling in Love With Love" from that show.

Sullivan played a second understudy for the Broadway production of Three Penny Opera with Sting. She sang (sans microphone) "Barbara Song" from the Kurt Weill /Berthold Brecht show.

Since she has appeared in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she added "I'm  Just a Little Girl from Little Rock". Sullivan by the way is not from Little Rock, but Oklahoma.

One of funnier parts of the evening was Sullivan reading excerpts from the book "No Turn Unstoned", a collection of theater reviews compiled by actress Diana Rigg. The audience was roaring with laughter  after hearing some of the quotes.  I must get this book!

The "Tale of an Oyster" by Cole Porter (cut from Fifty Million Frenchman in 1929) had hysterical lyrics. Sullivan quipped it was cut because it made people sick.

She's noted for her various and unusual medleys. One included "Another Autumn" from Paint Your Wagon and the haunting "Will You" from Grey Gardens (the only song I like from that show). Another combined "One Halloween" and "But  Alive" both from Applause.  There was also a gorgeous medley of "Much More" from the Fantasticks and  "Colored Lights" from The Rink.

Other highlights included  the lovely "Dividing Day" from Light in the Piazza, "Autumn in New York" from Thumbs Up (which featured an amazing jazz cadenza from Weber), "And I Was Beautiful" from Dear World, "Who's That Woman" from Follies, "World Weary" from Noel Coward's This Year of Grace and the hilarious "My Husband's First Wife" from Sweet Adeline.

The obligatory encore was a tour de force compilation of the greatest hits from 1929. You will not believe how many phenomenal songs were written that year.  She actually sings a medley of 29 songs which include such numbers as "Am I Blue", Puttin' on the Ritz", "Button Up Your Overcoat", "With a Song in My Heart", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Singin' in the Rain", "You Were Meant for Me" and "Happy Days Are Here Again".

The evening was thoroughly entertaining. Helping was great lighting by Lesley Boeckman, scenic design by Jennifer Stearns, and sound by Amy Wedel.

To learn more about the cabaret series (and hear Sullivan sing) visit www.centerstage.org/cabaret.

For Sullivan's web site, visit www.ktsullivan.com.

I was amazed that neither Sullivan or Weber took one sip of anything during the ninety minute performance.  But, immediately after the show,  Sullivan and Weber head right to the bar at the rear of the theater, where you can join them to say hello and buy some her CD's which she will autograph.

Next up at Center Stage is Euan Morton who is currently starring in the terrific Signature Theatre production of Chess. He performs Oct 14-17.

For tickets, call 410-332-0033.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

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