A couple of songs into the show of this new-to-me performer, I noticed that I believed what she was singing. The quality doesn’t shout, it just “is.” Her classically trained voice is ripe for American Songbook. Lost in His Arms honors Katz’s deceased father who apparently had much in common with Israel Beilin (Irving Berlin.) The evening exudes warmth.
“It’s a Lovely Day Today” bookends “The Best Thing for You” is me, evoking an infectious smile. A combination of the longlined “Reaching for the Moon” and hurdy-gurdyish “Yiddisha Nightingale”
is evocatively phrased. These are followed by the obscure “Yidisha Eskimo” which was “written for
Fanny Brice who had the good sense to say no.” Aided and abetted by Ritt Henn the song is a hoot.
Irving Berlin photo, Renee Katz
“How Deep is The Ocean?”, in an arrangement that mixes in Ravel, is grand until it grows too big. “Remember” bookends “Always” with internal reverie. The room stills. “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun”
in duet with Henn’s wry interjections and ‘Play a Simple Melody” in counterpoint with “An Old Fashioned Tune is Always New” are fun.
“Be Careful, It’s My Heart” arrives parlando making it conversational. Katz shows us original 1942 sheet music of the song from Holiday Inn. Speaking of Fred Astaire, a dance medley arranged by Christopher Marlowe for the late Nancy LaMott (he was her MD) is tonight performed by Katz. Writing and braiding are superb, but the six symbiotic songs are played, thus performed, too fast to be dancy. Marlowe also executes (again, beautifully written) instrumentals hyper dramatically and with unnecessary volume- not the tone of this show and straining the vocalist.
Christopher Marlowe, Renee Katz, Ritt Henn
Katz talks about her dad who survived a concentration camp to pursue the American Dream. Like Berlin, he felt deep gratitude to America. “God Bless America” – in Yiddish – is paired with “We Have Much to Be Thankful For.” The songs are solemn and graceful. An encore of “The Melody Lingers On” emerges lilting and apt.
Direction is subtle. Katz is selective with gestures, performs from both sides of the stage and perches when appropriate. Holding the microphone a tad further away and easing up would allow for better sound and let us see her expressive face. Tandem songs are companionable. Sequence is deft. Duets with Ritt Henn on ukulele and vocal are particularly entertaining.
Photos by Alix Cohen
Opening: Christopher Marlowe and Renee Katz
Lost in His Arms: Renee Katz Sings Irving Berlin
Directed by Jeff Harnar
Music Director/Piano/Arrangements- Christopher Marlowe
Bass/Vocals- Ritt Henn
Don’t Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street
