CHICAGO - MIDWEST CABARET REVIEWS

Menzie, Michael, & MGM at DAVENPORT'S Chicago

Reviewed by Carla Gordon

With their show Menzie, Michael, & MGM, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael again raise the bar in Chicago cabaret in their salute to tunes from MGM musicals. The SRO Saturday night crowds at DAVENPORT'S expect musical and vocal excellence from Tom and Beckie. Tom has a vocal range like the Rockies, with no thinning in the stratosphere. Beckie's voice is rich and layered. Her phrasing is wise. That being said, vocal talents are not the main reason why Tom and Beckie's shows sell out.

Many cabaretgoers enjoy recognizeable music. Nevertheless, old tunes can easily become trite. Not, Menzie, Michael & MGM. Beckie and Tom often deliver familiar songs in new ways. Much of the audience (older than the usual DAVENPORT'S habitues) could remember Jeannette Mac Donald singing "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" from watching Naughty Marietta on old movie channels. Mostly, what we remember is Jeannette's robust soprano (or Madelyn Kahn's hysterical spoof in Young Frankenstein) and not necessarily the words or meaning of the song. Beckie's quiet, simple presentation of that tune enabled us to reflect on how love is indeed sweet yet uncertain.

Tom and Becky brought modern references into their lively duet of "Stereophonic Sound" written by Cole Porter and performed in the MGM film Silk Stockings. A song about how we humans are simultaneously impressed and overwhelmed by technical innovation is as meaningful now as it was in the Fifties when stereophonic sound first made movie theaters boom.

Beckie and Tom perform medley duets better than any other artists I have heard. In a medley of silly movie tunes, our dynamic duo segued seamlessly between "Inka Dinka Doo" (yes, the one Jimmy Durante made famous), "Mademoiselle from Armentiers", "Underneath the Bamboo Tree", and the delightfully wacky "Aba Dabba Honeymoon". The harmonies are clean and the joy genuine.

Too many cabaret shows drag in the middle. Menzie, Michael, & MGM does not. Something interesting is always happening. Most of us remember "I Wanna Be Loved By You" as a novelty tune. Beckie presents it as a sincere plea, so we listen well.

Tom sings "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and we ponder what happens when the lovely flames in our lives go out. Indeed, something cannot be denied. Tom's rainbow medley combines "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" with arguably the most famous film song of all time, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." This presentation links these tunes not only by the rainbow image but also has us considering the bluebird, which in both songs reminds us that souls can fly even when life disappoints. The tenors of so many MGM musicals had lilting voices, but emotion was often elsewhere. Thankfully, Tom doesn't make it about his voice. We accompany him on a journey.

Showing remarkable musical acumen, Beckie Menzie boldly weaves the Ira Gerswin lyrics to "Embraceable You" into the melody from the theme from "An American In Paris" composed by brother George. The melody of the latter tune is edgier than the sweeter melody of the former. We hear the song from a different perspective; the baby is naughtier and we all grow tipsier.

All these are valid reasons why Tom and Beckie shows sell out. Here's the main reason. We often see cabaret duos loving and teasing each other in a world of their own. Beckie and also Tom fill the evening with love for music and for each other, yet enable us to join in every moment and every emotion. We become extended family.

When we want to hear good music, it is easy enough to play a CD. We shlep to live cabaret performances to participate in the emotional experience. While we appreciate musical excellence (and gripe in its absence), we attend cabaret to be first class passengers on meaningful journeys. Beckie and Tom make us feel we belong next to them at the Captain's Table. How do we book the next sailing?

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

Copyright, 2005 by Carla Gordon

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