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Electronic Link Journey - Laurie Lawson “So I’m sitting in Danny’s Skylight Room Cabaret getting ready to review a revue of revues when an indomitable presence graces the stage. The petite, vivacious GERTA GRUNEN cannot be ignored. She brings to the room her outrageous sense of humor, her charismatic camaraderie with the audience, and her obvious love for music of all kind. In her latest show “Let’s Revue” she paints a vivid picture of an old-time revue weaving delightful showbiz stories around classics like “Shine On Harvest Moon,” “What’ll I Do,” “Second Hand Rose,” “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square,” and “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” Accompanied by Musical Director Christopher Denny on the piano and occasional vocals, Grunen makes the entire sentimental journey fun and, as always, leaves you with a smile on your face and a melody from long ago in your heart.” BackStage - John Hoglund “In her solo tribute to musical revues, Gerta Grunen was a lively delight in her splendid new show, “Let’s Revue,” at Danny’s Skylight Room. With Christopher Denny as musical director-arranger and David Arthur as director, Grunen sang her heart out in this tailor-made show that is perfect for her ... endearing charm. Celebrating songs that were written for theatrical musical revues, including “Ziegfeld Follies of 1918,” “New Faces of 1952" and a Yiddish theatre revue song from 1915, she was a joy to behold. Songs ranged from the ridiculously funny ditty “Cohen Owes Me Ninety Seven Dollars” (Berlin) to Ed Kleban’s bittersweet “Better” from 1979’s The Mad Woman Of Central Park West ... Grunen is such a devlish charmer on comic ditties that one can learn much from this informative hour.” - July 16, 2004 Cabaret Scenes - Peter Leavy “Cabaret goers who like to hum along with the songs will have no trouble satisfying that urge at Gerta Grunen’s “Let’s Revue” at Danny’s Skylight Room. With perhaps the sole exception of an early Irving Berlin tune, “Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars”, almost every number will be familiar to anyone in the audience old enough to remember JFK. True, although there are some numbers from revues of the ‘fifties and ‘sixties, the ‘twenties seems to be the favored era. Still, even though Gerta dips back into the 1909 Ziegfeld Follies, who isn’t able to recognize “By the Light of the Silvery Moon?” Or Fannie’s Brice’s big number from the 1921 edition, “Second Hand Rose?” Gerta Grunen is a carrot-topped, diminutive performer with enough energy for someone twice her size. Her mobile face would do honor to a silent film star, and as she paints the scene of several of her songs for her audience, the pleasure of her reminiscences is manifest. Selected from revues scattered over six decades, Gerta’s lively renditions and Chris Denny’s arrangements are highly satisfying.” Cabaret Hotline - Maryann Lopinto “I just went to see Gerta Grunen's new show "Let's Revue" and spent an hour in heaven. She managed to not only entertain us but teach us about the history of many of the revues through the years - Irving Berlin's MUSIC BOX REVIEWS, NEW FACES and ZIEGFELD FOLLIES - this was just a little taste of what there has been. There is so much more but she had to limit it to one hour. What a great time and I look forwarad to seeing this again. She is accompanied by the talented Christopher Denny who sings too and it was directed by David Arthur. Thanks for a great show, Gerta!” - June 12, 2004 |
