By Lynn DiMenna . . .
The Maye Magic continues! You didn’t think a little ‘ole thing like a worldwide pandemic or reaching the ripe, young age of ninety-three would put a crimp in this ubiquitous, national treasure’s style, did you? Not a chance! The marvelous Marilyn Maye outdid herself, yet again, with a triumphant five-night run at the dazzlingly beautiful, comfortably safe, Wick Cabaret in Boca Raton, Florida this past week. The Wick Theater’s lobby was full of frenzied fans and diehard “groupies,” many of who flew in from great distances, all observing social distance and mask protocols. At last count, they were brought to their feet five times during the eighty-minute set.
Maye’s special gift is her singular ability to connect with the audience the minute she takes to the stage. She often says, “I sing to my audience, not for them,” and given that her song list includes songs she’s been performing for decades, she and longtime musical director, accompanist and talented performer in his own right, Billy Stritch, perfectly pace the show for maximum dramatic impact. With so many song favorites, she sang one we’ve seldom heard, “When I’m in Love” (from Sophie) with lyrics and music by Steve Allen.
One of the evening’s special moments was her reference to her attorney Mark Sendroff’s 102 year old Aunt Dottie, who was in the audience, hearing Marilyn sing Dottie’s and her deceased husband’s favorite song “You’ll Never Know.”
Her devoted fans never tire of the energy, enthusiasm and elegance she brings to each and every song like “Elegance” from Hello Dolly which she included.
It was an elegant, swellegant party, indeed, and the other Marilynn, Marilynn Wick and her daughter, Kim, are to be congratulated, along with Dick Robinson and his talented team at Legend’s Radio, for creating such an exciting new cabaret venue in Central Florida. Bless them for helping to keep the music we all love and need, especially in these times, alive and well.
