BWW Reviews: Andrea Marcovicci Brings 'No Strings' to The Oak Room

Andrea gives you time to anticipate the journey even before she enters the room. Placed on the piano is a miniature steamer trunk, some old song sheets and other nostalgia. Then you embark, as she sings "Sail Away" by Noel Coward and "Let's Get Away From It All" composed by the great pianist Matt Dennis (lyrics Tom Adair). Speaking of great pianists, enough can't be said about the smooth flowing creative accompaniment of Music Director Shelly Markham. I've heard Shelly with other performers, and it was interesting to see how he so skillfully changed his technique to envelope Andrea in a non-stop river of notes, which never dominated but always added the appropriate musical emotion to her songs.

Andrea is a master (she's giving a master class for singers this month) and although at times her " vocal film projector" flutters, this is by far one of the best adventurous and romantic shows to be seen. A 1960's TV show filmed in New York ended with the announcement "There are 8 million stories in the "Naked City" - this has been one of them"! In New York this month you have two great actors telling great stories in song. Bebe Neuwirth at Feinstein's Loews Regency and Andrea Marcovicci at The Algonquin's Oak Room.
At this performance Andrea called up her 92 year old mother Helen to sing "Seems Like Old Times" a truly magical moment.

Andrea Marcovicci "No Strings" at The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room Nov 15- Dec 30

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

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