NY Cabaret Review: Paulanne Simmons
Scott Dreier opened his show at 54 Below, Doris & Me: Celebrating Doris Day with Scott Dreier, singing Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne’s “It’s Magic,” introduced by Doris Day in her film debut, Romance on the High Seas. He then went on to explain how much he loves the legendary star who makes him feel he is in the “safest and happiest place on earth.” And by the end of the show, most people in the audience were in love with her too.
Dreier used a few old photos and movie posters to illustrate his theme, but mostly it was his personal memories and his beautiful rendition of Day’s most famous songs that illustrated her varied career. It was a career that had a rocky beginning.
A car accident just after she won a dance contest put an end to Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff’s goal of becoming a dancer (orchestra leader Barney Rapp, who admired the way she sang “Day After Day,” suggested the name change). And despite Day’s conquest of many attractive male leads onscreen, her romantic life offscreen was filled with heartache. Doris Day was married four times. One of her husbands was physically abusive.
But Dreier did not dwell on Day’s misfortunes. He sees her as a warm, caring person (witness her campaign for animal welfare) who brought joy to many, many people with movies that spanned two decades, from Romance on the High Seas (1948) to With Six You Get Eggroll (1968).
Dreier concentrated mostly on Day’s film career, and most people still alive today probably do know her through the movies. So highlights of the show included “Que Sera Sera,” which she introduced in the Alfred Hitchcock film The Man Who Knew Too Much; “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” and “Lover Come Back,” both from films of the same name; and “Secret Love,” from Calamity Jane.
But Doris Day’s early career as a big band singer cannot be ignored. And so, not surprisingly, Dreier ended the show with “Sentimental Journey.” Recorded in 1945 with Les Brown and His Band of Renown, it was Day’s first hit. It was also the perfect way to end an evening filled with sentiment.
For those who don’t know Scott Dreier – – he is a veteran performer in television, film, recording and cabaret. His self- titled debut solo CD of big band, Broadway and pop songs was selected onto the preliminary Grammy Ballot. Some people may know him best as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna for Sega Games, Sonic the Hedgehog.
54 Below, 254 West 54 Street, www.54below.com.
