Melissa Errico – ‘Twas the Night After Christmas – A Winter Party with Billy Stritch
If you’ve ever had Melissa Errico put her hand on your shoulder and sing a couple of lines to you as she wends through the audience, you immediately understand what draws people. The artist exudes warmth and accessibility.Tonight, daughters in proud attendance, the Broadway/Cabaret veteran presents herself as a mom.
Billy Stritch, Melissa Errico
Errico virtually bounces on to the stage wearing plaid, flannel pajamas. Every part of her body is hyper-animated as if a just shaken champagne bottle; even speech erupts in spurts. A whooshing arrangement of “Jingle Bells” (James Lord Pierpont), segues into Stephen Sondheim’s (beautifully enunciated) “Everybody Says Don’t.” I admit to not understanding the choice.
“What is the night after Christmas? You’re done and you can have a real party with those you love,” she says welcoming us. A story about themed holidays at her house – this year, the Three Graces – is imaginative and loving. “Sleigh Ride” (Leroy Anderson/Mitchell Parrish) exuberantly arrives in duet with Billy Stritch. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is tender; Stritch’s solo, gilt-edged sentimental.
“Childhoods are made from memories, so I’ve been looking for memory songs,” Errico explains. Sondheim’s “I Remember (Sky)” from the teleplay Evening Primrose – lovely arrangement, wistful vocal- like many of tonight’s selections, touches on the season rather than holiday. “White Christmas” (Irving Berlin), written, we’re reminded in California, in July, is gentle and dancy. The club sings along.
Melissa Errico, David Finck
“Holiday Feeling” (Joe Guercio/Bill Jacob/Patty Jacob), Stritch tells us, was a Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme song. The duet is familiar, old fashioned repartee: …Let’s kiss ’cause it’s the season, dear/Let’s kiss, who needs a reason, dear?…Later, “Small World” (Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim) seconds this with another two-hander performed with affectionate chemistry. Errico makes this one flirty looking over her shoulder part of the time.
When the artist leaves to change into “concert clothes,” Stritch offers two solos. “Just Another New Year’s Eve” (Barry Manilow/Marty Panzer) – leave it to Stritch to unearth something obscure – is cottony, understated; very unlike what we think of as Manilow material. “Winter Weather” (Ted Shapiro) then leads in to “Song for a Winter Night” (Gordon Lightfoot) with the musician’s signature, born-to-it, easy swing.
Errico returns in an opulent Mrs. Santa Claus gown – a role to which she aspires – winding her way through the room, connecting with audience. “Christmas Waltz” (Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne) is just right. Following suit, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” (Frank Loesser) emerges straight up, unembroidered and appealingly bashful.
Melissa Errico, Ava Arkin
“The world is very confused, so we’re going to take refuge here” introduces a determined “The Best is Yet to Come (Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh). Errico closes with a duet of Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – somewhat after the fact – introducing burgeoning vocalist
Ava Arkin who acquits herself with poise and cheer.
Take down the stockings for another year. Melissa Errico and Billy Stritch have ended the holiday upbeat. Oh, and if anyone’s casting the underrepresented Mrs. Santa Claus…?
Photos by Conor Weiss
Melissa Errico: ‘Twas the Night After Christmas– A Winter Party with Billy Stritch
MD/Piano/Vocals – Billy Stritch
Guest – Ava Arkin
David Finck – Bass; Eric Halvorson- Drums
Through December 30, 2024
54 Below
254 West 54th Street
