Unlike most Cole Porter revues, Karen Akers’ invites us to “Come On Down”-- making her introduction to Porter songs depart from the usual “Another Opening, Another Show.” She follows through with many infrequently heard Porter works and others unusual in the context of a sophisticated revue. Her second choice -- after saying she feels like a million (and we know she looks it) is “Don’t Fence Me In.” Her rendition doesn’t need the explanation that “it’s not a cowboy song.”
Akers wears a low-back, svelte black gown with long pearl necklace and bracelet-to-match that recall the period when Porter was at the peak of his career. Don Rebic accompanying on a Steinway gives her, and us, smooth vibes. The setting is a shimmering, icycled curtain that changes colors--silver to gold to red to orange to blue and always back to silver -- to fit the mood or genre of the music and perhaps the lyrics of the songs. Very effective minimalism.
Among the unusual songs Akers delivers with mime: “Tale of the Oyster” and “Come to the Supermarket in Old Peking.” Blues is represented by “Buddy Beware” and a half-spoken “He Never Said He Loved Me.”
Akers pays tribute to Porter’s association with the Beguine via “Begin the Beguine.” Many favorites are included, such as from “Can Can” (including the title song) and “Kiss Me, Kate,” along with “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “It’s All Right with Me.” Akers does a delightful extended version of “Let’s Do It” interpolating verses in honor of Porter written by Noel Coward. One might note that those by Coward mainly mention celebrities, whereas Porter’s deal with animals of all kinds and sizes.
Akers’ final medley shows Porter’s love of Paris and her own of New York, her “home town.” Just as the songs are well paired, so are Akers’ Broadway style and Cole Porter’s.
