Marilyn Maye – Courtesy of Cindy Phillips. Used with permission.
Central Indiana fans, who missed Marilyn Maye when she made her Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael debut in April, had the chance to see the premier cabaret artist when she performed a two-day run at the swank nightspot, situated near the Monon Trail in Carmel, this past weekend. Present for her show in the spring, I had the distrinct pleasure of seeing her perform again on Saturday.
Accompanied by a trio comprising conductor-pianist Russ Kassoff (who played for Frank Sinatra for nine years), Hoosier Nick Tucker on bass, and Daniel Glass on drums, Maye’s setlist included tunes from the Great American Songbook, jazz standards and several songs from the nine albums she recorded for RCA.
Last time Maye played Feinstein’s, the audience was only at 75 percent capacity due to COVID protocols. This time, it was a full house of obviously loyal fans, including a couple who regularly follow her around the country. Based on the crowd’s audible enthusiasm, they were delighted with the droll bon mots and fascinating personal and career anecdotes she delivered between songs throughout the program.
Demonstrating her rich vocal powers have not diminished, Maye she showed that she can still hit high notes, as well as sustain them. Considering that she stood for the entire length, sans intermission, of her 90-minute, fast-paced show, she also exhibited the physical stamina of someone much younger.
Displaying her gifts as a consummate storyteller, Maye was mesmerizing when she sang what were primarily songs about love and its various manifestations. Highlights were medleys that included “Today I Love Everybody”/“Let There Be Love”/“It’s Love,” and “I Love You”/“My Romance”/“Why Did I Choose You?”/“That’s All.” Also touched upon was the downside of love in a mashup of “I’m Through with Love”/“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”
Repeating an affectionate parody of “Gary, Indiana” from “The Music Man,” which she wrote and performed during her 2021 Feinstein’s show, Maye sang “Carmel, Indiana” in tribute to a city, which she reminded the crowed, was lucky to have Feinstein’s in its midst. She informed the audience before she began to sing “Cabaret” that she recorded it long before Liza Minnelli did in the film and pointed out, in a full-circle context, the club that bears his name is formally called “Feinstein’s Cabaret.” Further charming the audience, many of whom she breezily interacted with from the stage, Maye sang “Step to the Rear,” the song-parody jingle she sang as the pitchwoman for Lincoln Mercury. It was a partnership that yielded her a new car every year for four years, Maye shared with the audience.
Closing with “Shalom” by her late friend and colleague Jerry Herman, Maye warmly projected a deep sincerity as she thanked the audience for coming to see the show and clarifying, for her, that performing live is not just a passion, but also her purpose. Given the fact that
she herself made several references and jokes about her age throughout the show, the storied entertainer reinforced the idea there is a connection between longevity and maintaining a youthful attitude and optimism. Though the saying “Age is just a number” has become a worn-out adage, there is no better way to describe what the 93-year-old Maye continues to contribute to the world with her artistry, generosity of spirt, and humanity.
