 "Stan
Edwards and Linda Ipanema reach a new height in their
careers in their new show, "One of those Songs." Edwards
has always been a gifted and soulful singer and Ipanema
a wildly talented comedian and wonderful interpreter
of songs, but they have rarely utilized what is so
great about themselves together: they are a terrific
team. They are opposites in personality and they
complement each other marvelously in "One of Those
Songs." They bring out the best in each other. There
is sentiment, warmth and talent in this show; a little
bit of Burns and Allen as well, although Linda Ipanema
is a firecracker, not Gracie's sweet addled housewife.
But love is in the air.
"One of Those Songs' is a homage
to the songs and singers of the 1950s, and it is a
worthy successor to "When the Lights Go On Again," the
current tribute show to the 1940s playing at The Triad.
But here the structure is freer, looser and more inventive:
anarchy and zaniness reign in the comedy numbers that
are often brilliant parodies and orgies of slapstick.
They careen far from the tight structures of standard
tribute shows and break up the audience in comic frenzies.
Edwards is in fine voice here, and
he brings feeling and unexpected tenderness to songs
like "Heart Of My Heart," "Play Me Hearts and Flowers," and "Here
In My Heart." He loves what he is doing. The
underpinning of the show is the chemistry and interplay
between this husband-and-wife team, beautifully rendered
in a sexy and funny interpretation of "Teach Me Tonight," the
climax of the first act. "One Of Those Songs" is far
more than a mere "tribute" show to the past; it undercuts
nostalgia and sentimentality with raucous comedy and
irreverence, and it presents two sensational entertainers
in a format that is less a trip into the past than
a spotlight on the magic of two performers in the vibrant
present. You won't forget "One of Those Songs."
David Evanier, author of the new novel-in-stories, "The
Great Kisser" (Rager Media), "Roman Candle:
The Life of Bobby Darin," "Making the Wiseguys
Weep: The Jimmy Roselli Story," co-author with
Joe Pantoliano of "Who's Sorry Now," and co-author
with Gia Maione Prima of the forthcoming Louis
Prima biography, "This Cat's Got Nine Lives." Evanier
is a former editor of "The Paris Review."
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