CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

RACHEL SHAPIRO IN BETWEEN THE BABBLE

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

Rachel Shapiro is an excellent cabaret artist. This would not be noteworthy except that, at age twenty-seven, Rachel happens to be a very young cabaret singer. Relatively few young cabaret performers I have seen in recent years, capture the emotional depth of a wide variety of musical selections as well as Rachel does. For many reasons, her show, "Between the Babble" as presented at DAVENPORT'S PIANO BAR AND CABARET in Chicago, ranks high among cabaret shows in 2006.

Shapiro demonstrates good judgment in "Between the Babble." She is opera trained. Early in the show, she hits one glorious high soprano money note. So, we know she has vocal chops. However, from that point forward, the show is more focused on lyric (as cabaret arguably should be.)

The songs in Between the Babble are diverse and rich presenting works of songwriters ranging from Paul Simon to Marvin Hamlisch. The one that remains in my head long after Rachel's performance is "Tell Me On A Sunday" with lyrics by Don Black and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (from the musical Song and Dance). Not the usual overly theatrical Webber fare, this song has subtle emotional layers. Twenty-something Shapiro touches them all. When relationships fail (especially romantic ones) we relive every detail of the parting scene often (at least until we move on). We remember what he wore, what he said, even the wallpaper. "Tell Me On A Sunday" is a plea for sweeter external details, perhaps not softening the loss accompanying a breakup, but maybe lessening the pain of the memory that will follow. Our soon to be spurned lover wants to hear the bad news, straight and true, but in a park or a "zoo that's got chimpanzees."

Shapiro also manages comedy nicely in "Good Thing He Can't Read My Mind" by Christine Lavin (best known in the folk music world, but Lavin has written a treasure trove of juicy cabaret material). This quirky tune is about how we claim to enjoy activities we genuinely loathe just to make someone we love happy (or to make that someone love us back). Rachel is hilarious describing a piece of heartily disliked sushi as a "living, breathing fish stick...trying to swim...". Christine Lavin, who is known for mentoring young talent, would certainly grin.

The theme of Rachel's show is talking--- in its many iterations. In Dave Frischberg's "A Blizzard of Lies", Rachel explores the lies we tell to accomplish peace or mere politeness. Whether we are saying, "The check is in the mail", or "This won't hurt a bit", or "I'll love you darling, 'til I die", Frischberg and Shapiro help us recognize that we as individuals, not to mention society, are indeed marooned in that blizzard of pale lying that has become far too acceptable.

Rachel also moves well. She used Davenport's stage effectively. Lose the droopy sleeves, Rachel, you have graceful hands and we want to see them.

If Rachel Shapiro's cabaret skill and talent can shine this brightly at a mere twenty-seven, her future as a performer looks bright. I have a soft spot for great cabaret broads: Elaine Stritch and Barbara Cook in their generation; Karen Mason and Sharon Mc Knight in mine. It's good to know that the next generation is coming along nicely.

DAVENPORT'S is located at 1383 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL - 773-278-1830 - http://www.davenportspianobar.com/

Copyright, 2006 by Carla Gordon

 

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