Review: I AM ME BECAUSE OF THREE at Sterling's Upstairs At The Federal

Renee Marino is a knockout! Her looks, her voice, her complete persona are spellbinding!

Broadway actress/singer Renee Marino made her feature film debut in 2014 in Jersey Boys as Mary Delgado, Frankie Valli's tempestuous wife. She was seen in the role on Broadway by film director Clint Eastwood, and because of her magnanimous talent, was hand picked by him to repeat the role on film. New York born and bred, fiery Italian Marino performed her first cabaret show at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday November 7 to a packed house. Called I Am Me Because of Three, the smart and slick show examined her roots and the three relatives that gave her the drive and spirit that pervade her persona.

Make no mistake about it, this lady is a pro. This says a lot for such a young actress/singer. Yes, she has been in many shows, but often that experience does not translate to the night club stage, where one expects to witness a looser, freer, be yourself kind of woman. Marino has these qualities in spades. From the moment she hit the stage you could see a bright, down.to.earth family girl, the girl next door, one you might very easily fall in love with. Her delivery is big and fearless, but simultaneously, she is your ally and friend, one who is unafraid to show her vulnerable, human side, one who deeply loves her parents and grandma. According to her, she learned everything of real value from them, naming them her power trio. Nothing under wraps here: her dad Frank called her 'little shit' and she in turn called him 'big shit'. He taught her to believe in herself. From her very serious mother Ona, she learned to 'never settle', and from her fun-loving grandma Franny, "Find joy in every situation". Now happily married, she did talk about the perils of dating, the male psychos she met along the way, and of course, the normal ups and downs of being a theatre actress, the rejections suffered and the sorrow at a new show closing right after opening.

I particularly loved one segment of the show where Marino was talking in an up close and personal way about the impossible men she dated. She asked a waitress in the audience to bring her some fries, making an excuse that she hadn't eaten since before sound check. She proceeded to tell her sensational stories as she munched quite ravenously. A delicious comedic moment showing the voracious female appetite yearning for expression!

All of the songs chosen moved the story of her journey along smoothly. Accompanying Marino in the 65-minute set were musical director par excellence Gerald Sternbach on piano, Steven Hernandez on drums, Tony Pulizzi on guitar and Carlos Rivera Jr, on bass. Backed by such a fine quartet, Marino literally knocked the music out of the park.

Some of the musical highlights included: the terrific opener "Let Yourself Go", "If You Believe", "Got To Be Real", "Sunny Side of the Street", "Orange Colored Sky", a sizzling "I've Got You Under My Skin", a gorgeous rendition of "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, as Marino did appear in the short-lived show Chaplin, a rousing "My Boyfriend's Back" and everybody's favorite dream song "When You Wish Upon a Star". There's lots of optimism apparent in Marino's way of thinking. Young hopefuls, take note!

In fact, if you take anything away from Renee Marino's show, it's HEART with a capital H. Women will love her stories about the craziness of the contemporary dating scene. As someone pointed out, there's a slight touch of feminism present... the good kind, never pushy. She tells it like it is in all honesty... and anyone who loves her family as much as Marino does, has got my vote. Oh, did I mention what a beautiful voice she has? There's quite a range that she uses freely, fearlessly, just as she does with her speech in her philosophy of life. It all adds up to make her one endearing cabaret performer whom I will go back to see again and again. In short, Renee Marino is a knockout! Her looks, her voice, her complete persona are spellbinding! Don't miss her, when you get the chance!

with John Lloyd Young

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