Amy Beth Williams: In Reverse

“I’m not a fan of the month of January (and wonder why we have February at all), so I thought, if I’m going to do a show of the months of the year, I’ll end in January,” Amy Beth Williams explains. This kind
of program would be easy to assemble with familiar signifying chestnuts. Williams is not about “easy.” Song choices are an eclectic mix of genres, expression and vocal demands. Also, she’s sincere – which is brave onstage.

The vocalist opens with “Memories.” No, not the Bergman, but a well crafted, Adam Levine/ Maroon Five song which is direct and a bit musically edgy: Here’s to the ones that we got/Cheers to the wish you were here, but you’re not/’Cause the drinks bring back all the memories…” “Once Upon a December” (Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens) radiantly follows. As Williams envisions, she conjures.

Ian Herman; Amy Beth Williams

“Winter” (Tori Amos) rides Dave Silliman’s high spirited bongos: I get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter/I put my hand in my father’s glove/I run off where the drifts get deeper… It’s a smiley cha-cha. Upper register is crystalline. The sentimental “See You in September” (Sid Wayne/Sherman Edwards) arrives a teenage prom slow dance. Brushes are light, Ritt Henn’s bass strings, caressed. Williams seems to be remembering her own past.

A fella with a concertina played-what was the song?…the vocalist winces…And I still try to find (furrowed brow) the words I can barely remember… Jerry Herman’s “Song in the Sand” is palpably bittersweet. The artist has small “tells” indicating subtle emotion. At the piano, Ian Herman sways creating orchestral sound. La da da da da da da/Da da da da da da/And I’m young and in love…Williams sings, shedding twenty years.

Jerry Herman’s “Ribbons Down My Back” begins a capella. Vocal emerges silken without fraying. It’s interesting to see an older woman handle these lyrics. Memory and hope hold hands making the dream more fragile. Interpretation is entirely believable. A pause before the last so he will notice me emerges poignant. “Memphis in June” (Hoagy Carmichael/Paul Francis Webster) opens with the musical refrain from “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.” Williams warmly sings TO us, dropping her g’s as if she was born to it. Mint Julep, anyone?

Unexpected and new to me “(We’ll Meet) in Spring” (Peter Daniels) is a pithy tango. Williams raises her chin, nostrils flare. Longlined lyrics ride above sharp-edged accompaniment. Herman comes down hard on the keys. The song whips. “March Winds and April Showers” (Walter G. Samuels/Leonard Whitcup/Teddy Powell 1935) makes one imagine a line of tap dancing chorines. A little shake of the shoulder, a little bounce, a pat on her thigh – Williams grins and (otherwise still) moves with this one. Happy piano. Wonderful arrangement.

“Unfortunately, that brings us back to January,” prefaces Lance Horne’s thorny, forceful song of that name. Music sounds like Brecht/Weill, while lyrics tell a contemporary story: The two bars of soap make me hope/That it’s you on the stair…It’s January and you are away/A year and a day… Williams is unconditional. I’d like to see her perform “Pirate Jenny.”

“December Will Be Magic Again” (Kate Bush) is a story-song, tonight in the hands of an actor. The artist rises to its vocally, gravity defying demands showcasing range and control. She sings as if willing wishes to come true. Arms rise, palms flatten, fingers splay. “I Remember” (Molly Drake) drolly closes the show. The character remembers firelight, he remembers smoke. She remembers trees, he remembers gnats. Williams understands the difference between wit and humor.
She leaves us with, “No matter what your memories are, you need to keep making good ones.”

Gestures are never gratuitous. I find the moving of the microphone in its stand from one side of the stage to the other an unnecessary shut out. Keep it central and take the mic out more.

A well wrought show.

Amy Beth Williams: In Reverse
Directed by Tanya Moberly
Musical Director/Piano- Ian Herman
Ritt Henn- Bass, David Silliman-Drums

Photos: Alix Cohen
Opening: Ritt Henn, Amy Beth Williams

ALSO: December 28, December 29

Don’t Tell Mama
343 West 46^th Street https://donttellmamanyc.com/