Emily Skinner was booked into Feinstein’s/54Below with an evening of Broadway songs that was cancelled due to the pandemic. Invited back, she decided to be more “authentic” to current feeling. Skinner tells us she’s had a tough time. Perhaps that’s why this show seems stressed.
“The Bitch is Back” (Elton John/Bernie Taupin) showcases the artist’s sandy alto and back of throat warble, but singing “it’s the way I move” without moving hampers effect. Aside from a couple of jerky, self-conscious poses, Skinner doesn’t even offer hip action. It’s not playful. “The bitch is what I’ve turned into during the pandemic. I’ve lost all veneer of niceness. It’s funny but I don’t care.” Harry O. Sutton/Jean Lennox’s flirty 1905 “I Don’t Care” emerges with an unfamiliar edge.
High points: “Not Cause I Wanted To” (Bonnie Bishop/Al Anderson) and “Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair” (Billy Barnes) are understated and lovely. Skinner immerses herself in reflection. The latter arrives airbrushed, breathy, candid. Sitting, she leans forward on her elbows. Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart’s “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” almost offers the same pleasure – nose crinkles, eyes close, she sighs – but is intruded upon by a loud denouement.
“Bacon” (Mary Liz McNamara) exhibits vocalist’s comic timing. The cliché “Life will be sweet if you give up meat” is rescued by an agonized “You can even try to give up ba-ba-ba-bacon.” “Tomatoes can be nice (ouch expression) or there’s pasta…(brow furrows)…” The performer growls and salivates, a frustrated carnivore.
While “Bacon” eminently works, “As We Stumble Along” (Lisa Lambert/Greg Morrison), a drunk song, is both grit-teeth exaggerated and a mirror image of Beth Leavel’s original. “That’s All Brother” (by Mae West, a character I gather Skinner has played) is somewhere in the middle. The voice is ersatz West, but the tone is right on. Again, movement would’ve helped engage.
“Thank You for Being a Friend” (Andrew Gold), the Golden Girl’s theme, is just not a very good song and Susan Werner’s “May I Suggest” with a welcome a capella opening, lands preachy, if well intentioned.
Emily Skinner is personable, but there’s too much explanation – This is why I chose the song, this is what it says clutters flow – and the show seems in distress.
Emily Skinner: A Broad with A Broad, Broad Mind
MD/Piano-Jonathan Fischer
