She at the piano in slinky gown with trailing long white scarf, he coming from behind a theatrical trunk in dinner jacket and tails: it could be Gertie and Noel. After all, it is 1930 in Monte Carlo! Rather, svelte, auburn-haired Irina Borislensko is Russian pianist Nadia, singing "Somewhere I'll Find You" about her former lover. He's Nigel Hollidge, a Coward sound-and-look-alike with slicked-down hair, sparkling dark eyes, and clipped way of saying the lyrics to "I've Got You Under My Skin." Then they're off on a series of understandings and misunderstandings that make up a clever little plot for a pastiche of sophisticated songs.
Sometimes Borislensko plays a bit too loud, but her technique makes up for the volume. A thick accent gets in the way of "I Hate Men" but not "I'll See You Again" or decisive "Mad About the Boy." Despite a somewhat weird interpretation of "DeLovely," Hollidge stays nicely in character, whether with a serious "What Is This Thing Called Love" or clapping away South American style to the funny "Nina." Interestingly, the author keeps up suspense about the relationship right on up to a closing with one of Cole Porter's most "fun" songs.
