Directed by Linda Amiel Burns, DiMenna's tribute to the lyrics of Johnny Mercer was a crisply-paced journey through the Mercer songbook. DiMenna is not self-involved in her delivery, but music-involved, and the songs spoke for themselves. Her patter was concise, opening the door to the next song. If there was a flub, she was unflappable. A show biz thoroughbred, she bought the spirit of sweet swing into the Metropolitan Room, making energetic use of her years of hosting radio programs and singing in clubs. Michael Barbieri matched the show's spirit with light and sound design.DiMenna admits being born just a bit too late to get the perfect gig for her talents, fronting a big band. Here, DiMenna did the next best thing. She became the gal singer in a tidy, rhythm trio with bassist Chris Higgins, David Meade on drums, and — get this, cabaret-goers — popular bass accompanist Steve Doyle moving to the piano bench as pianist and musical director.No one could do one-night-only of all Mercer's delicious and colloquial hit songs, but DiMenna chose samples of his best-known lyrics, including the necessary Mercer Medley. The group provided a variety of easy swinging beats. Her strength lies in upbeat tempos and even the ballads morphed into rhythms that got the body parts moving. To her credit, her autumn selection did not include the standard "Autumn Leaves" and she chose instead the less familiar "Early Autumn," a moody introspection of love and memories.Entertainment was the goal here, and DiMenna, firmly in her comfort zone, reached it with good humor and contagious songs.___________________________________________________________
Charming and glamorous, Ms. DiMenna appeared one night only at New York’s Metropolitan Room to pay homage to the man from Savannah, Ga. who won 4 Academy Awards for Best Songs, including “Moon River,” Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), with music by Henry Mancini. Johnny Mercer, who wrote over 500 songs, is known for having had more collaborators than any other American songwriter.DiMenna did her homework, putting together a wide variety of some of the grandest Mercer songs including “Dream Medley” (Dream, This Time the Dream’s on Me, Hit The Road to Dreamland) and “Mercer Medley” (Too Marvelous for Words, The Angels Sing, Moon River, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe, My Shining Hour and others). She is a sincere singer and her sweet lilting vocals are easy on the ears especially on bossa beat “Out Of This World.” DiMenna gave a gutsy rendition of “Blues in the Night” and on what she referred to as The Revenge Song, “Goody Goody,” both strong suits to her performance. Many performer friends turned out in support of the popular Ms. DiMenna including Julie Wilson, Andrea Marcovicci and Daryl Sherman. DiMenna produced/hosted a popular radio show “Welcome To The Club” for ten years and currently co-hosts with Jeffrey C. Williams a show called “At The Ritz” heard on the net at www.attheritz.org. where many of today’s cabaret, jazz and Broadway artists have been guests.Debuting his talents as musical director and singer was Steve Doyle, whom we see on stage more often strumming his bass, and who added some extra zing on duet “Two Of A Kind.” On drums was David Meade and on bass Chris Higgins. The show was directed by Linda Amiel Burns, founder of The Singing Experience 32 years ago.APPEARANCES & REVIEWS
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
May 2, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org
With My Huckleberry Friend, it's an easy swing for Lynn DiMenna into the Metropolitan Room. What's not to love about the Johnny Mercer songbook, and DiMenna has long proven that she loves and understands both good music and cabaret intimacy. In addition, she brings in an appreciative audience. That's important. She has fun with the tunes and shares her enjoyment, communicating smoothly. "MY HUCKLEBERRY FRIEND!"
A CABARET SCENES REVIEW
Cabaret and Other Wanderings with Sandi Durell...
LYNN DiMENNA-
“MY HUCKLEBERRY FRIEND!”
A Centennial Salute to Johnny Mercer
Reviewed by: Sandi Durell May 2, 2009
“We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waiting round the bend, my Huckleberry Friend”- - Some of the best known and poetic lyrics are the clever title to Lynn DiMenna’s tribute to prolific songwriter Johnny Mercer on this his 100th birthday year. CALLING ALL MAC MOTHERS...
(those who are mothers and those who have mothers!
SPEND MOTHER'S DAY WEEK-END WITH...
DiMENNA SINGS DINAH!
A celebration of the life and music of
DINAH SHORE!
starring
Lynn DiMenna
Director - Linda Amiel Burns
Musical Director - Steve Doyle
Bass - Saadi Zain
Drums - Dave Silliman
May 8th @ 7PM / May 9th @ 4PM
The Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd St. NYC 212-206-0440
$20 cover (plus two drink minimum)
(1/2 cover for MOTHERS, MAC MEMBERS, SE, NYSMS)
www.metropolitanroom.com
www.lynndimenna.com
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