Sunday night, to the surprise of no one, Christine Ebersole received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical on the stage of Radio City Music Hall for her acclaimed performance in Grey Gardens. After all, the Times' Ben Brantley had proclaimed her performance in the dual roles of Edith Bouvier Beale and "Little" Edie Beale as quite possibly the best ever given by any actress on the Broadway musical stage. However, let me take you back to the previous Sunday night when, thanks to the perspicacity of those responsible for its outstanding Cabaret series, Ebersole was in New Jersey delighting audiences with two performances of her cabaret show, In Your Dreams in the lovely Chase Room of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. If you have seen Ebersole's highly theatrical recreation of the sad, eccentric ladies of East Hampton and not previously encountered her in cabaret, you are likely to be quite surprised by her approach here. Despite the strong and secure voice with which she has been blessed, there is nothing of the diva in her performance. For the most part, Ebersole concentrates on a relaxed, smooth and lilting jazz club approach. With her innate musicality, supple vocalization and easygoing warmth, the result is very pleasing and convivial.
|
|
Sunday In New York
