NEW REVIEWS as of 5/23/08

Drury Lane in full bloom
Cabaret celebration of Clooney dazzles

By Howard Reich | Tribune critic
May 21, 2008

"With the performers in fine voice and the repertoire top-notch, it was a very good night for cabaret in Chicago.

Not that there was any reason to expect less. After Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place presented live music again in February—after a 24-year hiatus—Chicago cabaret-goers had reason to be optimistic. The quality of the performances and the enthusiasm of the crowd on that historic night suggested the best was yet to come.

On Monday evening, a sold-out house heard the follow-up to that auspicious new beginning. Notwithstanding some technical glitches—was anyone in control of the evening's errant microphones?—the revue offered accomplished singing on a surefire theme: the life and times of Rosemary Clooney.

Granted, the title of the show, "Everything's Coming Up Rosie," sounded far too sunny for its subject matter. Anyone with a passing familiarity with Clooney's tempestuous life knows about her dark years of addiction and sorrow.

Yet the first and final acts of Clooney's biography were indeed triumphant. The youthful artist who became a star singing tripe such as "Come On-A My House" eventually refashioned herself as a knowing interpreter of worthier songs. To its credit, "Everything's Coming Up Rosie" addressed the full sweep of Clooney's career, from the insipid pop hits to the autumnal masterworks.

Though the cast included several fine singers—all members of Chicago Cabaret Professionals, a non-profit advocacy group—one stood out. Even if she hadn't been evoking the style and era of Clooney, Heather Moran would have deserved the ovations she received for the bloom of her tone and the nuance of her interpretations.

Certainly Moran's ultra-slow and wistful account of "Hey There" pointed poetically to the older-wiser chapters of Clooney's career. Yet on a dime she turned around and romped through "Botch-A-Me" and "Mambo Italiano," lavishing plenty of spirit on the tunes and giving them more credibility than they rightly deserved..."

Chicago Cabaret Professionals Sing Around the Rosie

by Carla Gordon 5/21/08

"...Connection between singer and audience is among the better aspects of the cabaret art. At times we wanted more.

For example, when Heather Moran entered talking to the audience about the flowers on the floor, a magical connection began that carried throughout her vocally solid, high octane performances of both the uptempo Mambo Italiano”(If you grew up in the Fifties, that was a frequent flyer on your parents’ record player…) and a layered rendition of “Hey There.” Moran is remarkably like Clooney in vocal timbre and diction. That, combined with Moran’s dialogue with the audience as herself, respect for the lyrics and even the band, won the intense singer-composer-audience connection that makes cabaret remarkable."

From Michael Roberts at ShowbizChicago.com (5/21/08)

"...Heather Moran, who was in exceptionally grand voice, did a fun arrangement of "Hey There" and a poignant "How Will I Remember You" in the second act."

"Rosie! A Tribute..." Reviews

(Brides please scroll down to bottom of page to see client testimonials)

Heather Moran Pays Homage to Rosemary Clooney at Davenport’s

By Carla Gordon

When she smiles, Heather Moran looks like the late Rosemary Clooney. Nevertheless, Rosie…a Tribute! is not an impersonation show. What Heather captures on May Sunday evenings at 5:00 at Davenoprt’s Cabaret (1383 North Milwaukee, Chicago, 773-278-1830) is the essence of Rosie. Her lower range is rich like Rosie’s. Her interpretations are open-hearted. Above all, Heather, like Rosie knows how to get to the kernel of a good tune.

As I watched Heather’s show, her affection and empathy for Rosemary Clooney’s often uphill life made us connect well to both the living performer and much missed honoree. Heather introduces “Come on-A My House” by telling the audience how Rosie didn’t want to perform the seemingly nonsensical song and did so only at the insistence of her then producer, Mitch Miller (yes, the one who later became recognized as sing-along guru). Heather carried that touch of edginess into the tune which made it sassier and sexier. When she sang “I’m gonna give you candy”, we knew it wouldn’t be long before that candy would turn into “I wanna give you everything”. The sensuality of both song and singer was fun.

Steve Kimbrough joined Heather early in the program for a lively medley duet combining “You’ve Got Class” with “Slow Boat to China”. Steve’s rich baritone and relaxed style combined with Heather’s lilt, recalled the warm duets of Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby. Who can help but be delighted when fine singers give us great tunes?

Another show highlight was a duet of “Sisters” shared with Chicago favorite Mary Monica Thomas. It’s a sly tune with a funny, true message. Sure, we love our family, but when romance walks in the door, the rules just might walk out. Heather and Mary Monica get the message of that song right on the nose. They gave us both the sibling rivalry and the sibling love with equal gusto.

Rosemary Clooney was unlucky in love. Heather shared with her audience the story of Rosie’s rocky marriage and divorce from actor Jose Ferrer as well as her doomed romance with arranger Nelson Riddle. Preceding “Blues in the Night” with those stories enhanced the bittersweet nature of that tune. Indeed, men can be worrisome things whether we are in pigtails or in high heels.

In delivering ballads with graceful simplicity, Heather took the right tip from her idol. “Hey There” is a remarkable song that is spoken to one first learning the ups and downs of love from a veteran of the ups and downs of love. Heather took us on that journey effectively so we reflect on the truth of that sage advice “offered like a mother.”

Accompanist Steve Carter backs Heather with grace and the occasional much appreciated one liner. Occasionally, it might make sense that he play a tad softer. At times it was a strain to hear the vocals over the piano.

Heather closed Rosie…a Tribute with a wistful rendition of “Count Your Blessings”. Heather’s presentation reminded us well to appreciate life’s gifts large and small. Among our recent blessings is the delightful opportunity to revisit the talents and tunes associated with Rosemary Clooney. With one more homage to Clooney’s signature tunes, Rosie….a Tribute, allows us all to regard two lovely vocalists, Heather and Rosemary…..tenderly.

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CABARET SPOTLIGHT
by Jeff Rossen
"There's only one way to sing a song. The words have to mean something." That principle seems so simple that one might think it doesn't even need stating; alas, it's a concept that so many singers fail to grasp. But when Rosemary Clooney said it, it capsulated exactly what made this woman such an extraordinary force in the world of music and why her recordings stand high in that elite group that bear the stamp of "timeless." And Heather Moran sure follows Clooney's advice in her marvelously entertaining tribute to the late singer in "Rosie! A Tribute ... "

Mixing some of Clooney's best-known songs with a few less-familiar gems, Moran delivers an exuberant and beguiling performance that is instantly captivating as she opens with a lightly romantic Tenderly and gives a brief but informative overview of Clooney's personal and professional life before bringing the hour to a close with a moving and deeply effective Count Your Blessings. In between, she makes good on the lyric of "... singing my heart out for you" in I'm the Big Band Singer and lays it wide open on the powerfully poignant How Will I Remember You (from one of, if not the finest album by Clooney, 1963's "Love").

Joined by guest Daryl Nitz for playful takes on Slow Boat to China and Ya Got Class, with Nitz adding his vocal impersonations of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, and then a knockout blend of "Carol Channing" and Moran for Sisters, Moran has fun as well with a song Clooney at first refused to sing, her monster hit Come On-A My House, and plays a quiet solitude in Blues in the Night. But it's on one of Clooney's most popular hits that Moran shines brightest, with her redefining interpretation of Hey There; this is not a woman who is handing out advice "like a mother," she's obviously in love herself with the man with the stars in his eyes, and Moran's portrait of this woman is a marvel.

With Steve Carson's fine arrangements and accompaniment supporting her, Moran delivers both a glowing "Tribute" and what will rank as one of the year's very best creations. (****)

Heather Moran performs "Rosie! A Tribute ..." on Sunday, May 29, at 5 p.m. at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee. 773-278-1830.

OTHER REVIEWS

" Moran's voice is hauntingly evocative of eras past but the spirit that emerges from these songs distinctly says, 'now' and 'today.' Here's a charming and compelling new jazz/pop presence. You're sure to be hearing more from Heather Moran. Justice, not to mention good taste, demands it."

--Gordon Kopulos, Freelance Writer and Contributing Editor, Down Beat Magazine, 1972-1985

“To me you use your voice like Frank Sinatra and here’s where I’m going with this. Sinatra, having worked with big bands, knew how you use his voice as an instrument…Heather Moran is an amazingly talented lady.”
Steve King, The Steve and Johnnie Show, WGN 720am

“’Rosie! A Tribute…’ One of the Top Ten Cool things to Do in Chicago…”
– Byline, Chicago Sun Times

“One of the best singers in Chicago…”
-Nick Digilio, WGN Radio

"...Heather Moran let loose with plenty of sound in "Adelaide's Lament..." - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

“… Heather Moran works her way through a set of familiar standards like the consummate professional that she is on "Heatherland" … As a tribute to her skills as an interpreter, Moran's versions of "Lover Man," "A Day In the Life of A Fool" and "The Way You Look Tonight" are like a breath of fresh air blowing off Lake Michigan.”
-Gregg Shapiro, Chicago Free Press

..."Though the evening's indelible moments were too numerous to cite, the high points included...gorgeous harmonizing from 3Girls3 (Heather Moran, MaryMonica Thomas and Gail Becker)." -Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

“…the performances-especially Heather Donaldson (Moran) as the quartet’s wisecracking singer…are inspiring…”
– Nick Green, Chicago Reader

“…razor-sharp comedian… talented comic…”
– Lucia Mauro, Chicago Tribune

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"Heather, you created the most amazing, beautiful, and meaningful atmosphere during our ceremony and cocktail hour. While Ryan and I were sharing our vows and reflecting on our connection we had tears in our eyes as you sang each song with such grace and love. The sun came out after a storm minutes before the ceremony and you continued to shine as our guests were amazed. I know this is cheesy, but totally true. I was so lucky to have you share your voice with our family and friends on the best day in our life. Thanks again..." -Melissa: Bride

“Heather was a great addition to our event. I would recommend her for any occasion.” – Julie O’Leary: East Dundee Special Events

“You guys were just incredible!!!! You were a big part of making it a kick ass wedding!” – Chris K.: Bride

“Your voice is amazing and we loved the songs. We had numerous people ask who you were so maybe you will get some calls in the future from friends of ours…” Deborah L: Bride

“I just wanted to say Thank You again for making our special day that much better. You sang beautifully and I have received so many compliments regarding the amazing job you did. So much in fact I think my friend Debbie will be contacting you regarding her wedding coming up this August. We have a lot of weddings coming up this year so if I have any other friends looking for a singer I will be sure to pass your name along. Thanks again for everything. You really helped take a lot of stress off of me that day.” - Erin R.: bride

"Thank you very much for making our wedding so special! Your beautiful singing added so much to our ceremony. We still get compliments about what an amazing singer we had at our wedding. Thank you!" – Debbie: Bride

"Heather Moran has the most beautiful voice. When she started to sing at our wedding I got chills and the tears started to flow. I turned around to look at my family and they had tears in their eyes. Her voice took our breath away and made our ceremony incredibly special for us, our family, and friends. Thanks again Heather for adding such a beautiful moment to our ceremony." Lisa & Brandon: Bride and Groom

“You were great! Thank you so much. I hope to give you additional opportunities to perform in Itasca.” – Gigi: Event Coordinator

"Thank you so much for helping to make our wedding day absolutely amazing. Your voice was beautiful as always, and your rendition of Ave Maria was outstanding. I would recommend you to anyone! Thanks again, Heather!" - Corissa J.: Bride

Having Heather sing at our wedding added that extra personal touch. During the service and cocktail hour her beautiful voice made the day even more special. So many of our guests had already seen her perform around Chicago and bought her CDs - to have her sing at our wedding was wonderful. - Melissa and Scott G.: Bride and Groom