Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In robust voice, Tony-winner ALICE RIPLEY puts her unique visceral spin on the Broadway songbook

• By drediman
• April 23, 2024
• No Comments

Last night, I had the pleasure of catching Alice Ripley — a musical theater actress who deservedly won a Tony Award for her searing turn as Diane in Next to Normal — at Birdland Jazz Club. Accompanied by talented Grammy and Emmy-winning John McDaniel on piano, Ms. Ripley’s cabaret show focused on the Broadway songbook, largely culling material from shows that she’s appeared in over the years. In summary, I’m happy to report that the Tony-winner was in robust voice, unabashedly attacking and diving into the guts of her song selections as only she can — that is, with the high-octane intensity of a rock songstress.

Things got off to an appropriate start with Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun. From the shows Ms. Ripley has starred in, Birdland audience members were treated to a bruised “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables, a piercing “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard (Norma Desmond has long been a dream role of hers), and a heartfelt solo version “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” From Side Show. For her encore, she soared through her signature song, “I Miss the Mountains” from the Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal. Other highlights from the evening included “Please Let’s Not Even Say Hello” from Maury Yeston’s lovely song cycle December Songs, “You Learn to Live Without” from If/Then (Brian Yorkey and by Tom Kitt’s follow-up to Next to Normal), as well as a pair of haunting Sondheim gems, “I Remember” from Evening Primrose and “Losing My Mind” from Follies.

Despite my familiarity with many of these songs, Ms. Ripley as a cabaret entertainer remains as idiosyncratic as ever — and that’s a compliment. As a vocalist, no one emotes quite like the Tony-winner. Indeed, her emotionally and psychologically exposed song interpretations are often thrilling, visceral experiences. In terms of banter, she’s quirky and unfiltered, exuding a spontaneous, in the moment quality that’s uniquely captivating. Indeed, you never quite know which Alice Ripley you’re going to get on any given day. Throughout, Mr. McDaniel provided expert, sensitive musical support on keys, largely keeping his personality at bay to make way for Ms. Ripley.

RECOMMENDED

ALICE RIPLEY
Cabaret
Birdland Jazz Club
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
One-night-only on April 22