Tony nominated Andrea McArdle greets a full house at Feinstein’s at the Nikko Hotel with an energetic song as she makes her way to the stage and belts out “Native New Yorker” to a lively audience.
Throughout the night audience members at burst into song along with Andrea who at 49 years old is spunky as ever and upbeat. She enjoys performing along with her music director Steve Marzullo as much as the audience enjoys seeing her and listening to her stories in between songs from her 70s and Sunny: Live at 54 BELOW
Her new musical release, the first from Broadway Records label recorded live at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street, New York), is her “verbal journal,” she says, about her youth as a show biz kid in the 1970s in New York City.
The songs included on the album are a mixture of her favorite songs from the 1970s that made her want to sing, like “Rainy Days and Mondays” to her favorite obscure Broadway show tunes, one that even never made it into a show “Fallin’,” and of course “Tomorrow,” from Annie, which set her off on her career. She wraps up the show with an encore tribute to San Francisco with “The Trolley Song” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Her voice is impeccable and just as youthful as she is even after hours of rehearsal and “texture” from age, she jokes with the audience. Even so, her voice is so pure and true as she hits every note effortlessly as if it is the most natural thing in the world.
Between songs, she tells tales about her memories growing up around stars such as Carol Channing, Liberace and so many others as she interacts with both the audience and Marzullo at the piano.
The show is delightful and entertaining, what cabaret is. Andrea is a perfect performer who knows her music and clearly loves it and performing. This is a good time out on the town that shouldn’t be missed.
Andrea performs again tonight at Feinstein’s at the Hotel Nikko (222 Mason St., 415-394-1111, HotelNikkoSF.com/Feiinsteins.aspx) in San Francisco at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 – $55.
Originally published in Passport Magazine’s Broadway Blog.
