Flotilla DeBarge is the glamorous Auntie we all wish we had. Striding about the Green Room 42 in a brightly printed Marco Hall Pantsuit, dripping with rhinestones, her auburn afro making her seem larger than life, you just know this is someone who will sneak you champagne and tell scandalous stories when your parents aren't looking. She dispenses her brand of witty, tough love, and you love her all the more for it.
And while DeBarge is indeed sexy, funny and observant, her voice is the most powerful draw. In her eclectic set, put together with musical director John Bronston with Drew Bastian on drums and Ian Jesse on bass, she is (as she says)" the total sum of all the things I've heard in my life." Her influences are clear from the first note, Luther Vandross, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and more are all there synthesized through her own musical sensibilities.
Welcoming us to the "Hell's Kitchen Café Carlyle," she launches into an unorthodox "Tomorrow" (Charles Strauss / Martin Charnin) from Annie, following it up with "When You're Good to Mama" (John Kander / Fred Ebb) from Chicago. To date, her one Broadway credit is in the ensemble of The Threepenny Opera. Surprising, really, as it is easy to imagine her in any number of roles, from Miss Hannigan to Mama Morton.
While there are many brilliantly funny moments throughout the evening, the show's highlight is DeBarge's performance of "God Bless the Child" (Billie Holiday/Arthur Herzog Jr). Stunning in its intensity, every word felt, understood and lived.
Other highlights included a mash-up of the Blondie Hit "Call Me" (Debbie Harry / Girogio Moroder) with Tony Hatch's "Call Me," "Theme From Mahogany" (Michael Masser / Gerry Goffin) complete with hysterical mid-song lip synch to Diana Ross's "I'm a winner" Speech, and a slowed down "Bibbiddi, Bobbiddi, Boo" (Al Hoffman, Mack David & Jerry Livingston). She closes out the evening with a swinging "I've Been Working on the Railroad" (traditional).
Flotilla DeBarge is clearly an artist who knows who she is, what she has to say, and puts everything she has into saying it. As her audience, we are here for it.
"Flotilla DeBarge: Songs & Sass"
Performed by Flotilla DeBarge
Musical direction by John Bronston
August 8, 2024
Green Room 42 (570 Tenth Avenue at 42nd Street)
Instagram @flotilladebarge
Wendy Lane Bailey has a powerful classic pop voice and a rather cavalier attitude towards the idea of genre. Wendy-Lane’s debut solo recording, Breathing, was produced by composer/arranger/pianist Michele Brourman. Her performances in venues across the country have earned critical praise for versatility and sophistication. She has appeared as a guest artist on multiple recordings, including Leslie Gore’s and Susan Egan’s. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, HB Studios and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Off-stage Wendy Lane is a creative advocate for artists. While living in Washington, D.C., she founded a regional networking organization for musicians and for five years, was the Associate Director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. She received a 2007 Bistro Award for outstanding achievement and was nominated for a Washington Area Music Association Award. While serving on the board of NJ’s Pioneer productions, she produced, directed, and appeared in several theatre pieces. She is currently developing Hot Coffee, MS, a solo theatre piece with music in collaboration with Michele Brourman & Gretchen Cryer. In 2020, she accepted the position of Assistant Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival. In addition to her performing work, she teaches and consults privately and in master classes for singers of all genres.
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