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Event
A Purrfect Evening: The Songs of Eartha Kitt
After two sold out runs of Last Dance - A Tribute to Donna Summer, Anais St. John returns to the Marigny Theatre with A Purrfect Evening. Anais St. John's admiration of Eartha Kitt has led her to present a tribute to the late performer.
Not to try to mimic or impersonate her, but to show the beauty, sensuality, and passion of her
music through Anais's own eyes. Anais has developed a style that combines humor with a
sultry demeanor, characteristics that are distinctly Eartha.
The show includes songs such as "I Want to Be Evil"," Monotonous", "A Woman Wouldn't Be a Woman",
"C'est Si Bon", and "An Old Fashioned Girl".
Performances are Fridays in April at 8pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com or calling (504) 758-5590.
This show was nominated for a 2010 Big Easy Award for Best Cabaret.
A REVIEW BY BRIAN SANDS
A Purrfect Evening: The Songs of Eartha Kitt
at Le Chat Noir (2010)
A mere six weeks after the great Eartha Kitt's passing, Anaïs St. John unveiled her tribute show A Purrfect Evening: The Songs of Eartha Kitt at Le Chat Noir. Yet this was no rush job, but a wonderful celebration of the life and art of a singular performer.
Incorporating fifteen songs identified with Kitt into an hour long program, St. John did not rely solely on her sultry voice to make her Evening a success. Rather, she clearly had done her homework and gave a running commentary on Kitt's life and the challenges she faced and over-came to make for as perfect a cabaret as I've ever enjoyed. Dressed in a mink coat and a leopard print dress, St. John effortlessly captured the purr of Kitt's voice. Informing us that Kitt was dedicated to "money, men and mischief" St. John hit just the right note of straight forward, almost innocent goldiggery in An Old-Fashioned Girl, and didn't overplay Apres Moi nor Monotonous allowing the songs' humor to come through even more effectively.
But St. John also gave us the less mischievous side of Kitt with a beautiful, heartfelt In the Still of the Night and showed what sophisticated elegance is with a playful C'est Ci Bon. And with exquisite musicianship she evoked the fearless determination of Here's to Life. Harry Mayronne led a trio that included Nathan Lambertson on bass and Michael Skinkus on percussion and together they expertly brought out all the different shadings in the music. An innately warm and likable performer, St. John wisely didn't try to duplicate Kitt's quasi-evilness until the very end as the temptress in Whatever Lola Wants by which point she could do no wrong. Word has it that A Purrfect Evening may be returning to Le Chat in April. Whenever it does, do not miss this absolutely delightful evening.
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LocationThe Marigny Theatre (View)
1030 Marigny St.
New Orleans, LA 70117
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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