from THE BEVERLY HILLS OUTLOOK - December, 2003
Alan Chapman and Karen Benjamin at the Gardenia, 11/22/03
BY GINA ZOLLMAN
Although her
father never actually told her to "Shut up and Sing!," this opening number
resonated with truth as always with Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman.
Their bold approach to songwriting and performing pays off well, as there
is nary a false note or pushed moment...there's no need. The material
is strong and the talent is there; all they have to do is relax and deliver,
and that they do in spades. Karen's scatting on this number was clear
and bell-toned, and she really did "zip it, zip it good" (you had to be
there!) On "Someone to Watch Over Me," they gave us the thoughtful
verse, and ended the song beautifully and originally. Their Beverly
Hills real estate song always kills, and this time was no exception, and
we all wish we could afford to live in 90210 after this paean to the good
life (with all its pitfalls!).
With all the Michael Jackson hoopla in the press, their off beat, "Bad
Santa-esque" tune "Santa's in Jail" hit a home run in tastelessness, which
is always a nice respite this time of year, what with all the endearing
holiday songs. They followed this with a funny parody of "Phantom"
with all the stops pulled out, and for this musical theatre crowd, it was
especially rewarding as a super inside joke, complete with the big finish
"That's all I ask of you."
Perhaps most famous for "Everyone Wants to be Sondheim But Me," this
Alan Chapman penned send-up still gives me a laugh, as it skewers our holy
icon Sondheim like nobody's business, right on target, no internal rhyme
or repeated phrase left unturned. This song will be remembered and performed
by many for years to come, and that's saying a lot! With Alan on
guitar, we were next feted with an obscure Sondheim number, so obscure
he even used a pen name to write it, and well he should have, as it is
a clear ripoff of the Carlos Jobim piece, "The Girl From Ipanema."
"The Boy From Zacateca La Punta Del Sol y Cruz" is forgettable and a one-joke
samba, not to be highlighted here or elsewhere for that matter. Sometimes
the concept is funnier than the execution! Still on guitar, Alan
gave us "Nobody Likes a Drunken Ballerina," very entertaining and to the
point (nobody likes an epileptic surgeon, it opines, as well).
More comedy followed, with a sort of tribute to Clinton, letting us
know that his zipper shenanigans don't rank with screwing with Iraq!
Ahem! That's real timely and bold and I've come to expect nothing
less from the very topical and savvy Alan Chapman and his sexy and hip
chanteuse, Karen Chapman. By the way, her pipes were in great shape
on this evening, and she blew my socks off with the ever punny "Concrete,"
an ode to the industry as it were, and yet with so many other meaningful
overtones ("Concrete is the Answer!"). Also, Karen showed us her
star power with her own inimitable version of "Summertime," and like I've
said, it was new all over again, no matter how many times you've heard
it. Karen has so much talent, it's bursting from her seams, and the
Gardenia can hardly contain her on a piece as classic and moving as this.
They finshed their hilarious and up to the minute set with a chunk of
tunes including an erstwhile cabaret act number meant for the comic Jim
J. Bullock, who never actually used "Como Te Gusta Mi Pinga," but who may
still do so some day! Next came "Don't Go," a loving goodbye song
regarding a father and son, very poignant and heartfelt. Then came
"No One is Alone," by our favorite, Sondheim, and they really delivered
the goods on this one. Such great material paired with excellent
musicianship and presence, in an intimate setting. If you haven't
caught these two memorable performers, you are really missing out.
Original and thoughtful, their act is unique and timely and hugely funny!
In case you didn't know it, "Christmas is Jewish" and it isn't just for
Christians, but we (and the merchandisers) knew that, didn't we?
Then they gave us a double encore, and it almost wasn't enough, as the
show was only an hour and a half, but it flew by. "Can't Help Lovin'
that Lamb o' Mine," was comic and sentimental at the same time, and we
were so glad to get some more pure singing from that supreme singer, Karen!
Well done, Karen and Alan; see you next time and happy holidays!
