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In order to qualify for a Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs nomination, Jane Scheckter has brought back the Irving Berlin songfest, A Simple Melody. This also gives the community a chance to revisit this well-received show, or view it for the first time if you missed the run earlier in the season.
Wednesday, December 2nd at 7pm, A Simple Melody will be performed at Broadway Baby (Reservations (212)757-5808), with Tedd Firth as Musical Director, Tom Hubbard on bass and Peter Grant on drums.
“Ms. Scheckter is no simpering romantic, although she confessed during Tuesday’s opening-night show to a lingering “delusional” crush on Tony Perkins. Accompanied by a solid pop-jazz trio — Tedd Firth on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Peter Grant on drums — she delivered brisk renditions of 20 Berlin standards.
“Ms. Scheckter’s resistance to pop sentimentality paid off in her plainspoken renditions of two classic Berlin waltzes, “Remember” and “What’ll I Do… called attention to simple heartfelt lyrics, which speak for themselves. But the show was mostly about swinging along with one of the stronger cabaret trios. Especially when Ms. Scheckter leaned into a witty, happy-go-lucky “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket,” the beat was on.” –Stephen Holden, New York Times, Sept. 3, 2009
“The Berlin songbook is so right for her because she excels at keeping things simple. When she lifts her voice, tinged as it is with just the slightest hint of brass, she makes trying no tricks an unwavering goal. She delivers songs straightforwardly so that they speak for themselves. For years, I’ve believed that Berlin’s best interpreter is Eydie Gormé, who seems to relate to the man instinctively. But Scheckter, who gives the impression of approaching Berlin somewhat more cerebrally, is surely a candidate for ranking alongside Gormé. Simply put, she gets the legendary tunesmith.” — David Finkle, Bistro Awards.com and Village Voice
“One knows going in that a Jane Scheckter show will be great. In the first place, she can really sing. She has it all — the voice, the style, the charm and always interesting material. She’s one of the shining lights of cabaret’” — Jan Wallman, Nitelife Exchange.com
“In her insightful new show, Jane Scheckter sailed through an hour of Berlin songs and stories with ease. A top-notch show…a classy, well-researched hour of old fashioned cabaret by a delightful singer who could easily be performing in a major room.” — John Hoglund, TheaterScene.net
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