Last weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Chicago singer and actress Heather Moran perform ROSIE! A TRIBUTE ... at the Metropolitan Room. The Met Room is an intimate space with a stage so small that it seemed to disappear among the tables. But as it turned out such a setting was just right for an evening of Rosie.
Moran began her set with sweeping accompaniment to a sincerely tender, 'Tenderly.' She is gentle with the Clooney classic, but it's clear that Moran has a serious set of chops. It's equally clear that she knows how to use them. She finesses each song, putting her own subtle spin on each number all the while never overpowering the subject of her tribute. She manages to achieve each number as simultaneously 'uniquely Rosie' and 'uniquely Heather.' Not a small feat. Take, for example her delightfully beguiling rendition of 'Come On a My House,' or her winking and flirtatious take on the nonsensical 'Botcha-A-Me.' Or perhaps her heartbreaking 'Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe,' or the pitch-perfect 'Count Your Blessings.'
Moran, a Second City veteran, has the humor and persona to carry her show. She spins a narrative through the songs, giving them satisfying context. She tells Rosie's story as one would describe a close friend. Moran's banter is informal and occasionally improvisational. ('Joe was a dog,' Moran declares. And I would agree.) She is a quick and formidable opponent to the wit of the woman to whom she pays tribute. Not to mention, Moran and her band seemed to be having to be having a lot of fun up there. I felt like I was at a gathering of friends.
Speaking of Moran's band, pianist Damian Espinosa, bassist Marc Piante and (newcomer of the night) New Jersey/NYC drummer David Silliman were phenomenal. The arrangements really showcase the skill of this talented trio. They played with expression and skill to match Moran's demonstrating their range with the occasional well-placed riff.
Moran, Espinosa, Piante and Silliman weren't the only stars on Saturday night. Another Chicago singer, Myles Hayes made several appearances onstage, often to play the Bing to Heather's Rosie. The two sang a wonderful "Slow Boat to China," but Hayes' really blew the audience away with his spectacular (solo) rendition of Sinatra's "I've Got You Under My Skin." 'Frank! A Tribute ...,' anyone?
Moran and her fellow Chicagoans put on a wonderful night of Rosie, my only complaint that it ended too soon.
For more information on ROSIE! A TRIBUTE ... and Heather Moran, visit heathermoran.com.
