Review: The Ever Divine Kim David Smith Dazzled In COMME UNE FOLLE at Joe's Pub
The Aussie expat gave the audience a tasting plate of Weimaresque drama and delight
Kim David Smith’s Comme Une Folle (Torch Songs for Tough Times Because Gay) arrived at Joe's Pub like a perfectly chilled coupe of champagne on Saturday night, May 2 at 9:30 pm: effervescent and utterly intoxicating! A mainstay of the downtown cabaret scene, Kim David Smith marked his 19th year in New York with a performance that felt both celebratory and razor-sharp in its theatrical precision.
Before Smith’s entrance, musical director Tracy Stark and her impeccable band - Skip Ward on bass, David Silliman on drums, and Matt Podd on accordion - offered a mini overture that elegantly set the tone. Podd’s accordion, in particular, proved to be the evening’s secret weapon, lending a continental flair that would weave deliciously through the set.
Smith’s entrance was, in a word, divine: a svelte black dress slit to perfection, accented with flashes of red at just the right altitude, and a glittered lip that caught the light and the eye. A king of audience interaction (and proving it within seconds), Smith opened with "A Good Man" before welcoming the crowd with his signature blend of camp and conviction: "Because Gay, and Because Lesbian, and Because Trans!" followed by the wickedly timed quip, "This is a straight exorcism!" From there, the evening unfolded as a masterclass in tonal shifts. A hauntingly gorgeous "The Man That Got Away" (Arlen/Gershwin) showcased Smith’s emotional depth, with Podd slipping in a delicate "Over the Rainbow" flourish. Smith’s patter, peppered with cheeky Aussie irreverence, kept the audience entertained, whether recounting an encounter with Eartha Kitt or delivering the deliciously risqué setup: “I haven’t shaved my legs… because this next song is French.”
That cue led into a standout "Padam Padam," honoring Edith Piaf while slyly winking at Kylie Minogue in its playful coda. It’s this layering of eras, styles, and sensibilities, that makes a Smith show feel so richly textured. A jazz-infused version of Kylie's "Someone For Me" further highlighted this, with Podd’s jazzy accordion solo earning well-deserved applause.
Smith’s collaborative spirit shone as he welcomed Bright Light Bright Light to the stage for "Next To You," a sleek, ‘90s-tinged synth-pop number that both recorded together (you can find it on your streaming platforms) and injected a fresh sonic contrast. The mood pivoted again with a slow, sultry "Ev’ry Baby Needs a Da Da Daddy," before burlesque darling Pearls Daily delighted the crowd with a cheeky (pun intended) turn that added a dash of naughtiness (twirling nip tassels included).
A plaintive "Guess Who I Saw Today" (Grant/Boyd) tugged firmly at the heartstrings, before a show-stopping moment from the Godfather of NYC cabaret Sidney Myer. His rendition of Joan Cushing’s "Pheromones" brought the house down, and earned a thunderous, wholly deserved, standing ovation!
Returning with Brecht and Weill’s searing "Pirate Jenny," Smith reminded us of cabaret’s power as protest; though the reviewer wished the ambient clatter of glasses and ice buckets from the bar staff would stop momentarily and yield to the artistry on stage. A knowing take on "Falling in Love Again" (purportedly Marlene’s least favorite) segued into the German rendition of "Kabarett" that left the room buzzing.
Encore you say? Why, of course! "Cry Me a River" (Arthur Hamilton) and the popular pairing of "Just A Gigolo/Coquette" capped the night off. Comme Une Folle is not merely a cabaret act; it is an experience! It is equal parts mischief, melancholy, and musical prowess. In Smith’s hands, the genre not only feels alive, but gloriously, defiantly thriving!
Learn more the artist on his website at kimdavidsmith.com
You can catch him at Joe's Pub on June 27 with Bright Light Bright Light in Padam Butterfly: All the Lovers and Then Some.
Find more upcoming shows at Joe's Pub on their website here.
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