THE HANGOVER REPORT – LOVE TO ME: The great Judy Kuhn serenades an adoring Valentine’s Day audience at The Green Room 42

Judy Kuhn performs “Love to Me” at The Green Room 42 (photo by Adrian Dimanlig).

Yesterday evening for one-night-only at The Green Room 42, the great Judy Kuhn serenaded an adoring Valentine’s Day audience. If you’re a musical theater fan, you’re likely to be familiar with the impressive roster of roles Broadway star has originated in shows such as Les Misérables (Cosette), Chess (Florence), She Loves Me (Amalia), Sunset Boulevard (Betty), and Fun Home (Helen). Entitled “Love to Me”, Ms. Kuhn’s latest cabaret show explores the different facets of romantic love through an eclectic set of songs spanning Broadway and pop.

Of the Broadway set, the late, great Stephen Sondheim was prominently featured – notably, a magnificent rendition of “Marry Me a Little” from Company – as was Adam Guettel, whose gorgeous “Hero and Leander” from Myths and Hymns has rarely sounded better. Mr. Guettel’s equally gorgeous “Love to Me” from The Light in the Piazza was the highlight of a multi-generational medley that included songs by Mary Rodgers and Richard Rodgers (Mr. Guettel’s mother and grandfather, respectively). Other high points included a smoothly-sung “Blame It on the Summer Night” from Stephen Schwartz and Charles Strouse’s short-lived Rags, a sublimely heartfelt “Goodnight, Young Lovers” from The King and I, and an absolutely sparkling “Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me. Ms. Kuhn also occasionally dabbled in the pop milieu, interpreting songs by the likes of Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell with affecting honesty. Throughout the evening, Ms. Kuhn was capably backed by a well-balanced trio of musicians.

Overall, Ms. Kuhn was in fine voice and in good spirits, charming the audience with her unaffected stage presence and easy going banter. Her versatile instrument remains particularly well suited to musical theater, residing in that range between belting and head voice. Although her voice is not quite as pristine as it use to be, her impressive vocal control remains, and she’s developed into a wonderful song stylist over the years, which has allowed her to easily straddle musical genres.

RECOMMENDED

JUDY KUHN: LOVE ME
Cabaret
The Green Room 42
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed

Categories: Cabaret

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