CHICAGO
- MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS
IT'S A MAD, MAD SUZANNE PETRI WORLD
Suzanne Petri at DAVENPORT'S
Reviewed
by Carla Gordon
Picture
Glenn Close during the bathtub scene of the film, Fatal Attraction.
When it comes to crazy, Close has nothing on Suzanne Petri's hystericaly
wacko delivery of "Crazy" (written by Willie Nelson and made popular
by the late Patsy Cline). It was a great choice for Petri's opening
song in "The Madwoman of Chicago: Musical Madness Persuzified" (performed
at Davenport's).
Petri takes us on interesting journeys about being crazy
or being perceived as crazy. She tells us how, as a teenager, she
would discombobulate her straight-laced Minnesota family with her
version of the gritty "Aldonza" (from the musical Man of La Mancha
by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion),
shocking aunties and uncles by belting out the closing line, "I'm
no-one, I'm NOTHING, I'm only Aldonza, the whore!"
In the languid "Something Cool", which is well known
in jazz circles, Petri unfurls an encounter with a stranger who's
smile is remembered, while his name is not. She unfolds lovely prosaic
details about a dress and a smoke and shares an honest journey about
a woman who has known the high life in better days. The woman accepts
the tall, cool drink and given Petri's sultry delivery, we can't help
but wonder what other favors she may accept from the handsome, nameless
man.
Petri takes us to the mad side of anger in "Pirate Jenny"
written in 1928 by Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill. We feel the anger
of the belittled hotel chambermaid who conjures up murderous revenge
on the dismissive hotel patrons.
The best and truest moment in Madwoman comes with "Free
Again" (by R. Colby, Mark Jourdan, A. Canfora, J. Baselli) . When
we are dumped by a lover we sell ourselves on the notion that the
good news is that we have our freedom back. In Petri's delivery, which
is more bitter than sweet, we understand the song's journey into of
self-delusion. Despite the words, this woman takes little joy in the
return of her "precious freedom."
Bob Moreen provides Petri with solid accompaniment and
stage partnership. While Petri is a full out performer, Moreen has
an understated presence. Their contrasting styles add to the fun.
Petri's dialogue is often improvised and Moreen serves as a first
class in the moment straight man.
Another strong moment comes in the encore, "I Regret
Everything" by Bill Burnett and Peggy Sarlin , as a spoof on the work
of Edith Piaf. At one point in the number, Petri asks the audience
to sing along. As the audience is largely unfamiliar with the tune,
the 'sing-along" bombs. And Miss Petri gets to regret that failed
attempt too. The good news is that we surely don't regret seeing The
Madwoman of Chicago.
DAVENPORT'S
is located at 1383 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL - 773-278-1830
- http://www.davenportspianobar.com/
Copyright, 2007 by Carla Gordon
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