Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Maria Friedman: Re-arranged (The SOB Review)

Maria Friedman: Re-arranged (The SOB Review) - Menier Chocolate Factory, London, United Kingdom

***1/2 (out of ****)

Seldom during the course of a generation does a bona fide singing actress of the stage come along who's not only an exceptionally powerful and soulful interpreter of others' tunes, but also effortlessly exudes a forceful, yet plucky charm.

On this side of the Atlantic, we're currently blessed with legendary greats like Patti LuPone and Bernadette Peters.

However, on the other side of the pond, the British have their own national treasure in Maria Friedman, an amazing pillar of fortitude and grace. This unusually gifted talent is also a three-time Olivier Award winner who's headlining her own triumphant show Maria Friedman: Re-arranged at London's intimate Menier Chocolate Factory through May 4.

Thanks to the strong recommendation from the West End Whingers, I plucked down a mere $40 for a general admission ticket and found that it was by far the best deal to be had during my entire stay in London last week (the value of the beleaguered U.S. Dollar could not have been worse, with a single Tube ride fetching $8).

While Broadway audiences had but one chance to see Friedman in the short-lived Andrew Lloyd Webber musical The Woman In White, the actress has enjoyed recurring gigs at the Big Apple's Café Carlyle. So when I went into the Menier, I fully expected a cabaret act.

Much to my pleasant surprise, I was delighted to walk out having witnessed a series of fully-realized vignettes with Friedman masterfully telling complete stories through her expressive eyes and beautiful voice. Highlights range from Stephen Sondheim's emotionally taxing and tearful "Sunday In The Park With Dot" and the bittersweet medley of Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" mixed with Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell's "You Are My Sunshine" to Michel Legrand's rousing "Le Trombone" and Randy Newman's irony-laced and incredibly funny "Short People."

My personal favorite moment of her performance was her frenzied wink and nod rendition of Sondheim's "The Worst Pies In London," which was immediately followed by a rather jazzy, Pink Pantherish take on "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" by the fine 11-piece orchestra, under the direction of Michael Haslam and Chris Walker.

Sure, some of the tunes in Re-arranged border a tad on the treacly side, but the remarkable fervent clarity with which Friedman comports herself on each and every song will leave you on an emotional high. If you live in London or happen to be there over the upcoming weekend, make Maria Friedman: Re-arranged your destination.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (April 23, 2008)

Labels: Cabaret, London, Maria Friedman, Maria Friedman: Re-Arranged, Menier Chocolate Factory, Michel Legrand, Revue, The SOB Review

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, April 30, 2008