BWW Reviews: Kritzerland Rouses with All The Things You Are-The Songs of Jerome Kern

All The Things You Are: The Songs of Jerome Kern/produced & hosted by Bruce Kimmel/musical direction by John Boswell/Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal

On February 2, the 54th version of Kritzerland At Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal delighted its packed house with songs (some memorable, some lesser known) of American Songbook composer Jerome Kern. Hosted, as always, by the personable and very knowledgeable Bruce Kimmel; each song had elaborate intros of fun facts with recognizable celebs in sometimes unusual contexts. Kimmel's a gem of an emcee!

Kern's melodies flowed through the melodic vocal talents of Kimberly Hessler, Jean Louisa Kelly, Damon Kirsche, Madison Claire Parks, and Jeffrey Christopher Todd; with Special Guest Andrea Marcovicci.

Kelly had the most varied of songs - torch song "The Folks Who Live on the Hill" and ballad "Yesterdays" in which she tugged your heartstrings! and the comic "Cleopatterer" in which she made you chuckle in all the right places.

What an unexpected surprise to hear the huge operatic voice emitting from the lovely, petit Madison Claire Parks. She sure nailed her huge high notes in "Can't Help Loving' That Man of Mine."

Hessler's gorgeous, gorgeous voice flirted innocently and coyly in "I'm Old Fashioned." Did I say 'gorgeous'?

The charming Todd made great use of his comedic tenor in "She Didn't Say Yes."

Kirsche showed all who was in command of the tongue-twisting "Bungalow in Quogue." He also perfectly closed the show with his simple "I Won't Dance/Never Gonna Dance." Very nice!

Marcovicci easily demonstrated to the audience she's quite ever in command in her interpretations of lyrics. Her vocal explanations of "My Husband's First Wife" brought the intended hysterical responses while her "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" expressed a touching story of a love lost.

Musical direction and very abled piano accompaniment were provided by John Boswell, who did have his own moment to shine in his solo medley "The Unsung Kern." (Marcovicci was adeptly accompanied by Shelly Markham.)

Do check out the 55th edition of Kritzerland featuring the mash-up of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Stephen Sondheim, probably on the first Sunday of March.

www.msapr.net/Sterling-s-at-The-Federal.html