• Applause! Applause!
• Electric Link Journey

Applause! Applause! - Andrew Martin

Even with over ten years in cabaret, either as a critic, performer or producer, your humble reporter had never seen a full show by perennial chanteuse Gerta Grunen and what a pity not to have experienced her until now! On the occasion of her fifteenth anniversary in cabaret, Grunen celebrated with a Cole Porter theme show at Don't Tell Mama, and the results were simply splendiferous!

Aided ably by Christopher Denny at the piano and direction by David Arthur, Grunen's act, "Ninety Stories High," is above all else an evening of fine showmanship and a lovely trip down a musical memory lane. Grunen is a songstress with a pleasant voice and a keen confidence, who knows how to work a number to a maximum personal effect...the show uncovers not often heard lyrics to such Porter classics as "It's Delovely," and Grunen's way with the comic standard, "Mrs. Lowsborough Goodby" is, to coin a phrase, "the top." The easy standout however, is a brilliant rarity entitled, "Farming," with additional vocals by the aforementioned Mr. Denny. (OK - she didn't include my personal favorite, the pithy, "Siberia" but why quibble with work of this quality?)

If you have an opportunity to catch Gerta Grunen in "Ninety Stories High" at Don't Tell Mama or elsewhere, get yourself to see it! Grunen is Golden!

Electronic Link Journey - Laurie Lawson

Gerta Grunen's show at Don't Tell Mama, Ninety Stories High, is full of popular and not so well known Cole Porter songs, as well as delicious inside stories about the prolific songwriter. Spanning the era from 1928 to 1956 she renders favorites like "It's Delovely", "True Love", "Let's Do It" and a lively "I've Still Got My Health." There are also some songs which, according to Grunen, Porter wrote for his own amusement and that of his friends. A cute diet with Musical Director, Christopher Denny, "Farming", "The Physician" and "The Tale of the Oyster" are just a few.

Grunen has fun with the songs and she makes sure that you join her. She's a tiny package of energy, effervescence, and an engaging personality that delivers the goods. She's cute and coy, sassy ans sarcastic. Porter would be pleased with the passion and pleasure that Gerta Grunen brings to Ninety Stories High.