Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The great Donna McKechnie charts her career via Sondheim in TAKE ME TO THE WORLD at 54 Below

• By drediman
• March 12, 2023
• No Comments

Last night at 54 Below, I had the great privilege of catching the great Donna McKechnie’s latest cabaret act. Entitled Take Me to the World — The Songs of Stephen Sondheim, the evening predictably celebrates the artistry of the late great composer/lyricist, whose loss remains sore for many of us. The show also charts the career of Ms. McKechnie — a Tony winner for her iconic performance as Cassie in A Chorus Line and one of the great dancers in Broadway history — in tandem with chronologically mining the riches of the Sondheim songbook.

Ms. McKechnie began her relationship with Sondheim in the national tour of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, an experience that was documented by her amusing rendition of the ditty “I’m Lovely” from the show. She later originated the role of Kathy in Company, which is perhaps her best known association with the master.  From that beloved musical, she delivered a sterling version of “You Could Drive a Person Crazy”, as well as a stirring “Being Alive”. The Tony winner also had a close association with Follies, in which she has the distinction of having starred as both Phyllis (in a starry London concert) and Sally (at Paper Mill Playhouse); the legendary musical was represented by “Don’t Look at Me”, “Too Many Mornings”, and a moving “Losing My Mind”. Later on in her career, she made her mark as Desiree in A Little Night Music, a show that houses the immortal “Send in the Clowns”, which Ms. McKechnie sang with genuine feeling. Other Sondheim works to make appearances were Anyone Can Whistle (the title song), Evening Primrose (from which the titular “Take Me to the World” springs), and Dick Tracy (“Live Alone and Like It”).

Vocally, the 80-year-young Ms. McKechnie was in fine voice — her robust and distinctive belt and upper registers still very much in good working order. To boot, she looked glorious in a flowing royal blue gown and maintained good spirits throughout (she even gave her adoring fans a glimpse of the stunning dancer she was). Over the course of the evening, she was supported expertly by music director Ian Herman, who confidently led an excellent three-piece band.

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DONNA MCKECHNIE: TAKE ME TO THE WORLD — THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Cabaret
54 Below
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 11