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Tanya Holt is not frequently seen on the cabaret circuit. She should be. Her show at The Metropolitan Room revealed a genuine charmer with an engaging personality and a smoky voice that delivers her songs with style. Supported by the arrangements and piano (and the occasional effective duetting) of musical director Rick Jensen, Holt was in easy command of her material and comfortably playful with an encouraging audience.
She grew up knowing “every pop song ever written,” so that her devotion to older standards came more recently, but Holt’s rendition of Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen’s Come Rain or Come Shine was as valid as her luscious delivery of Redd Evans and Joe Rosenthal’s Frim Fram Sauce. She presented two new songs, After All Those Love Songs by Rick Jensen and For Now by Lina Koutrakos, Johnny Rodgers and Dan Gross. It was a judicious mix of musical eras, balancing By Time I Get to Phoenix with oldies such as Mercer’s Moon River.
Holt is a three-dimensional performer, good to listen to and engaging to watch as she sings. She’s mobile and expressive, immersing herself in the essence of the lyrics, which varied from hopeful, to troubled, to joyful. Tanya Holt deserves a regular gig, to allow the word to spread and the public to discover this gem.
Taking Flight was directed by Lina Koutrakos. J.P. Perreaux was technical director.
Peter Leavy Cabaret Scene Once again I found myself in a cab, this time headed to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - http://www.metropolitanroom.com/ ) for Tanya Holt's show at 8:00 pm. I knew it would be difficult, and actually asked Collette (who had alerted me to the Parodiva show) to explain to the performers the situation. As it was, I arrived just as Ms. Holt was ready to enter the room. With Rick Jensen as musical director and Lina Koutrakos as director, Tanya gave a performance that resulted in something I rarely do. You see, I have the basic belief that when I attend a show as a reporter/reviewer, I should refrain from showing too much (or even too little, if the case may be) enthusiasm for a performance. But feeling something so strong I could not contain it, I was virtually the first person in the room on my feet to take part in the standing ovation at the end of the show. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had in a cabaret room. From the haunting "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Mercer/Arlen) that opened the show, to the chilling "Flight" (Carnelia) that ended the show, I found myself entranced and enchanted. Every step of the way, song after song, I found myself unable to move my attention to anywhere else but the stage - a few scribbles on the song list and about 10 words on my note pad were about all I was able to jot down, so transfixed was I by Ms. Holt's performance. I wish I could say more - but words simply are not enough. Just watch your cabaret schedules for Tanya's next show - and there had better be a next show! And soon! Stu Hamstra |
