BWW Reviews: Rhonda Burchmore Sizzles in CRY ME A RIVER
By: Tim Carney
Let's not beat around the bush, Rhonda Burchmore is a sultry sizzling smouldering smoking hot siren. From start to finish she filled the show with a combination of presence and flesh, matched with a voice that transports you back to the time of the smokey jazz clubs of LA.
Cry Me A River is a homage to the life of music and film star Julie London. Throughout the evening Burchmore, along with her über talented 10-piece jazz band, brings to life some of the greatest tunes that we never knew were on a Julie Londom album. Songs including Hushabye Mountain, Take Back Your Mink and Yummy Yummy Yummy are expertly tackled by Burchmore displaying her skill and charisma throughout. There are a few negatives throuout the evening, including the length. The show is very similar throughout and with nothing to truly break it up it comes across more as a repetitive speak then sing cabaret performance that needed only last for a good 80 minutes rather than a drawn out 120. Sound and balance issues were also a problem with the trumpet section overpowering the vocal on numerous occasions. These issues aside, Rhonda Burchmore is a true leading lady who provides highlight upon highlight. Her showmanship coupled with world class musicianship from Ray Alldridge and the L.A. Combo are enough to save the teething problems of this show.
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