Melissa Errico

Cabaret at Feinstein's 54 Below


It was some enchanted evening at Feinstein’s 54 Below last Saturday night.  In her “Funny, I’m a woman with Children!” show, it’s hard to imagine Melissa Errico running after her 3 young daughters in sweat pants when she takes the stage looking like she walked out of Vanity Fair magazine.  She gives credit to Rent the Runway for her dress, and the GLAMSQUAD for the house call makeup job, but there is no one else who can take credit.  She’s a statuesque beauty with a luminescent smile, and if that is not enough for you, she can SING!  I’m sure I didn’t need to tell you that, because there is not much that Melissa can’t or hasn’t done.  In addition to recording several solo CD’s, her resume includes featured roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Network Television and Film. 

She is perfectly at ease on stage, whether telling a funny story or delighting us with her interpretation of the American Songbook.  When the music starts and her voice fills the room, you will not be thinking of anything else but trying to absorb her beautiful tone.  The song selection was pleasantly diverse with selections like James Taylor’s “Secret of Life”, a plentiful amount of Sondheim including “Children Will Listen” and “Marry Me a Little” that was combined with Ewan MacColl’s “The First time I Ever Saw Your Face”.  There were surprises like Joni Mitchell’s “Other People’s Parties” in combo with Randy Newman’s “Real Emotional Girl”.   Legrand/Bergman’s  “The Way He Makes me Feel” and “Something New In My Life” fill in the gaps.  Special guest Will Swenson took stage and the pair sang a lovely rendition of “So in Love” by Cole Porter.  There were so many beautiful songs, but I stopped taking notes at some point.  Perhaps it was to dry my eyes.  Melissa delivers up her craft beautifully and with emotion that will steal your heart and capture your soul.  You would think a concert of this caliber would be done with a complete orchestra, but no.  It just goes to show that you only need one ingenious Musical Director, Ted Firth at the baby grand and a sophisticated songstress. In fact, anything more would have just gotten in the way of perfection. The show is directed by Robbie Rozelle.

The music flowed and held the central theme of marriage, family and children.   In fact the packed house had its fair share of well-behaved children in the audience (presumably her own and those of friends and family).  In a bold move, Melissa invited all of the children onto the stage for the encore “How are Things in Glocca Morra” (Burton Lane/E.Y. Harburg). It went off without a hitch, and it was a wonderful way end the evening that celebrated the things most important to her; her family, her children and husband, tennis pro Patrick McEnroe who was in the audience sharing in her glory.  


There is no mistaking that Melissa Errico is a star and will continue to deliver all of her wonderful talents for many years to come.  I cannot wait to see what’s next. Check out Melissa's website at www.melissaerrico.com for information on her upcoming shows. -ThisbroadSway 9/24/16