Review * Marilu’s club act
Here’s a great review of Marilu’s show at the Gardenia last month in West Hollywood.
Whatever health books you come across by Marilu Henner, be sure to buy them. Whatever advice she’s giving in them, it sure works, as she, herself, demonstrates in her cabaret debut. She was a bundle of energy that never seemed to let down. Her opening number, “Zip,” featured special additional lyrics by her brother, Lorin Henner, loaded with contemporary cultural references from David Sedaris to Anna Faris.
Her appearance at the Gardenia was particularly appropriate for her, as she described how she used to drive past the club on her way to Paramount to film the TV series Taxi, and thinking about wanting to play there. The show followed a biographical path and the fact that a large flat screen television was in position behind her could have meant an ego-driven journey through her career highlights. Instead, it served to offer up an opportunity for her to deliver some self-deprecating humor, as she showed a selection of early career moments as well as a hilarious mix of suggestive talk show appearances.
Always in command of her voice, she shined on both belt and pop numbers. Her early career as a body part model served to provide a forum for a body part medley, including “Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Cheek to Cheek,” and “Redneck Woman.”
If you see this Taxi driver in your neighborhood, be sure to flag her down, as she will give you a helluva ride.
~ Les Traub, Cabaret Scenes, March 4, 2010
