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Klea Blackhurst: Everything the Traffic
Will Allow —The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman
June 21, 2001
By - Robert L. Daniels
(Upstairs at Jack Rose, New York; 120
capacity; $35)
Presented inhouse. Produced by Denise Cooper. Opened May 28,
2001. Reviewed June 11.
Musicians: Michael Rice, Steve Bartosik, Ray Kilday.
More than a homage to a brassy Broadway legend, "Everything
the Traffic Will Allow -- The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman"
rolls out the red carpet for a bright new talent -- Klea Blackhurst.
After a brief turn at Danny's Skylight Room on restaurant
row, Blackhurst has moved her act a few blocks north to Upstairs
at Jack Rose, a smart, new room with a skylight offering a
sparkling panoramic evening view. The setting is just right
to introduce Blackhurst, a huggable performer with a positive
attitude, a sunny voice and a refreshing sense of humor.
The career of the formidable Merman provides
the major appeal for theater buffs, and allows a veritable
treasure chest of songs from Broadway's Golden Age. The trademark
songs include a group of astonishing milestones -- "I
Got Rhythm," by the Gershwins; Cole Porter's "You're
the Top"; Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like
Show Business" -- all made popular by Merman. But Blackhurst
is no mere Broadway tour guide, and she puts her own fervent
mark on them.
Merman sang brash and loud, and as Blackhurst reminds us,
she sang honest. There is no attempt to copy or imitate here;
Blackhurst neither sings brash nor loud, but definitely does
honestly. She offers a mini-bio of her inspirational mentor
that is peppered with amusing anecdotes.
In an amusing turn, which Blackhurst
titles "Merman Unplugged," she dares to accompany
herself on the ukulele and whistle the melody for "Life
Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." "Corny" comes
to mind, but the singer's refreshing simplicity and wholesome
approach makes the moment irresistibly charming.
Mining the Merman legacy doesn't become
just another presentation of the Broadway hit parade; nor
does the singer turn the tribute into a routine then-I-sang-this
program. There's the jaunty "This Is It," by Arthur
Schwartz and Dorothy Fields; an exquisite "Just a Moment
Ago," by Roger Edens; and "World, Take Me Back."
The latter was written expressly for Merman by Jerry Herman
for "Hello, Dolly!" but shelved until she finally
appeared in the show in 1970, eight years into the run.
Merman would be proud of the tribute.
One can almost hear her encouraging words bellowing from the
wings; "Sing out, Klea!"
Blackhurst's open-ended run continues
Sunday and Monday evenings.
Copyright 2001 VARIETY
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