Jessica Walker finds The Girl I Left Behind Me

The 59E59 Theater does a great job of bringing unique performers to its occasional Cabaret venue, and they have hit another solid winner with The Girl I Left Behind Me.  Performer / Co-creator Jessica Walker inhabits the spirit and songs of musical hall players who were male impersonators.

Jessica Walter in
The Girl I Left Behind Me

Ms. Walker tells the story of these women and the curious area they occupied as sexual beings, obviously women playing men – but singing about the joys, the beauty and the sexuality of the female form.  The practice was different and more complicated than lesbian attraction; although Ms. Walker makes clear there was some of that as well.  In societies that were uncomfortable with female sexuality, acting that same sexual tension out as a man, particularly an unconvincing one, was acceptable and often applauded.

The Girl I Left Behind Me explores the world of these women who were popular in Dance Halls and on stage from about 1860 through 1920.  This time frame means that most of these performers were unknown to most of the audience, particularly the British performers.  This unfamiliarity allows Ms. Walker to introduce the numbers and the performers to us. She gives out background details, theatrical histories and personal details that bring life and deeper meaning to the songs.

Joe Atkins plays the piano and the two work together beautifully, paring on everything from Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier to a reimagined Down By The Old Mill Stream.  The one misstep was a Harlem Blues number Baby Won't You Please Come Home, but kudos for including it with the history and story behind it.  Co-created and Directed by Neil Bartlett, the brisk show moves speedily, wrapping up with a poignant After The Ball Is Over.

Left unsaid are that many performers that have following in the tradition blazed by these trendsetters.  Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn followed many of the same paths, pushing to define a powerful female role model.  Grab a cocktail and enjoy a great little show at 59E59, The Girl I Left Behind Me.

It would be tragedy for me not to acknowledge a beautiful encore.  Ms. Walker and Mr. Atkins did a fantastic job on Take Me Home – a little heard Tom Waits number from the little seen movie, One From The Heart.  It was performed in a manner that left me a little breathless.  Bravo.

The Girl I Left Behind Me

Creators: Jessica Walker, Neil Bartlett

Director: Neil Bartlett

Cast: Jessica Walker

Pianist: Joe Atkins

Website

David Burnham in Mostly Broadway - a Cabaret

I was lucky enough this last week-end to see David Burnham in cabaret at a venue called Hyde at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.  It was a special event week-end and Mr. Burnham played one evening.

Mr. Burnham is a veteran Broadway actor and singer, having played in Light in the Piazza, Wicked, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat among others.  At Hyde, he serenaded the audience with some stories, some jokes and some amazing singing.

Cabaret can be a challenge, particularly in a non-traditional venue.  Although Hyde had a nice little stage, the set up was awkward.  However, after Mr. Burnham took the stage, that hardly mattered.  He brings a stagecraft that draws your attention and he has the serious pipes to keep your interest at all times.  He would share an anecdote, usually about a show he was in or a casting disaster, then sing a song from the show or related to it.  It is a time tested formula that never felt formulaic with him.  He made the story feel fresh, and the audience like a group of friends that happened over to see him.

Mr. Burnham has a love of the theater and traditions that is contagious.  He told a story of the famous John Raitt, a role model of his in many ways.  Years later he played in the same theater that John Raitt played in Carousel, and was visited backstage by Mr. Raitt’s widow.  It was a touching story that felt real and unforced.

Mr. Burnham was accompanied by a keyboardist who sang a few songs with him, an excellent Mark Vogel.  In one of those cabaret moments, a Broadway friend, Jonathan, joined him for a cool as ice rendition of “Africa”.  He also brought up a drag entertainer and they sang a medley of I Am Who I Am and Born This Way.  It was a fitting, friendly, fun way to wrap up a tremendous evening.

You can find more out about David Burnham, including his album collection and upcoming appearances at www.DavidBurnham.com.

Sara Dash at the Laurie Beechman on Feb 18th

SARAH DASH: ONE WOMAN

Saturday, February 18:
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street.

With a career spanning 50 years, legendary "Lady Marmalade" singer SARAH DASH  -- perhaps best known as 1/3 of the iconic pop group Labelle opposite Patti Labelle & Nona Hendryx -- premieres a workshop of her new solo show "One Woman." It includes songs from throughout her career accompanied by reminiscences & anecdotes about some of the people she has worked alongside.7:30pm. Tix are $25 in advance or $30 at the door (+ $15 food/drink minimum -- full dinner menu & bar available). Buy tickets at 212-352-3101 or click HERE.

Alec Mapa in Baby Daddy

February 9 - 11:
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street.

"America's Gaysian Sweetheart" ALEC MAPA (Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, The View, RuPaul's Drag Race) returns to New York with his acclaimed comedy. Join Mapa as he hilariously recounts his adventures when his life is turned upside down after adopting a five-year old boy. Find out how this flamboyant comic goes from stand up gigs, red carpets, gay cruises, and circuit parties to being a responsible car pool driving, P.T.A. member. A cautionary tale. Thurs. - Sat. at 7:30pm. (NOTE: Saturday is almost sold out!) Tix are $20 - $22 (+ $15 food/drink minimum -- full dinner menu & bar available). Buy tickets at 212-352-3101 or click HERE.