Review: Sherie Renee Scott at the NYC LGBT Center

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:40pm

Just got back from a wonderful evening at New York's LGBT Center, where Sherie Renee Scott was giving a benefit. I was expecting the usual cabaret/benefit fodder: Some standards, a signature song or two, a few numbers resurrected from shows I've never heard of. To my delight, the show was a totally unique and unexpected experience.

Sherie performed a true one woman show, shunning any of the numbers from shows like The Last Five Years, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Aida that have made her famous. The evening was truly personal. It featured Sherie doing a lot of stand up comedy and even a little magic in addition to singing.

Some highlights included:

A long section about Sherie growing up in Kansas. She discussed her mostly Mennonite upbringing and her relationship with Becky, one of controversial Reverend Fred Phelps's daughters. She talked about learning to live within a song, and the power of that experience.

Letters Sherie wrote to a childhood friend when she first hit New York at 16 years old. Sherie's adventures involved her first Broadway show (Agnes of God) and meeting a charming young street musician who took her to an amazing secret magic shop no one but magicians know about.

Sherie talked about the power of Mr. Rogers, that's right, from the long-running TV show, has had in her life. She sang several of his songs from that show in a variety of different musical and vocal styles. Some for humor, some for real emotion.

She also paused her performance for 10 seconds of silence so that everyone could think about the important people in their lives who made them who they are today. This is how Mr. Rogers accepted each of his four Emmy Awards.

Sherie's first singing gig in a mental ward where her cousin Jerome, the first significant gay person in her life, worked. Jerome and Sherie shared a mutual love for Judy Garland. Sherie sang Get Happy a la Garland, and later sang a satirical version of Dear Mr. Gable (You Made Me Love You) to a photo of Jesus Christ.

Sherie was in excellent voice and sounded great in the surprisingly elegant and intimate venue.

That's about all I can remember. As you can tell it was a beautiful, personal, and touching concert. It was also very, very funny. There was no set list in the program or else I'd have posted it.

Hope this helps anyone who wanted to be there but couldn't.
Updated On: 12/4/06 at 09:40 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:47pm

Thanks for your review. I wanted to see this, but couldn't find someone to go with, and have been sick all day anyway. Her story during the Elton John benefit held years ago about Jerome was absolutely touching. If I had gone, I have to be honest and say that I would have been a bit disappointed to hear nothing from Last 5 Years or maybe "I Know the Truth" from Aida. However, it's always nice to hear of Broadway stars doing their own thing as well. At any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed the show.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:56pm

Thanks for the review Like siamese, I remember that story she told about Jerome.
Updated On: 12/4/06 at 09:56 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:01pm

Yay! Thank you! Sounds like she did some cool stuff. I would have loved to hear some of those stories. Can you remember any other songs she sang?

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:08pm

I think one or two were original compositions. Outside of that, it was the two Garland songs, the many Mr. Rogers songs, and maybe one or two other things I didn't recognize. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:52pm

Thanks for posting this. I would've loved to be able to go -- she's one of my favorite performers, and she tells the best stories during her performances, to boot.

[logan0215]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:00am

I was there as well.

I won't be much help in giving you song titles as of now, I'd have to "hear" it again, which I can't say won't be in my near future (eh hem).

I can tell you that the first song of the night "LGTBQ" is a monologue she used before performing "So Like Candy" @ Brilliant Mistake: the Songs of Elvis Costello Halloween '05.

She was really in amazing form. I was a bit confused when talking to her after the show, she said this was performed in a much shorter form earlier and that tonight was a sort of "staged reading" of an act shes working on. Although its listed as a "One Night Only" performance, I believe this will be tweaked and remounted (to all of our delights).

It was being filmed. I asked the cameraman what for and he said for a television show (documentary?). I asked about it being available, he said most likely not unless Sherie asks for a copy from his producer then decides to spread it. He did take down my contact information, so maybe if he gets a personal copy I can get my hands on it. Sherie then said it was for the LGTBCC's archives, so I may try contacting them.

It was a truly amazing show and if remounted, definately worth seeing.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 7:36am

She's a fantastic woman.

[Trina55]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:28am

The Center has a volunteer media crew that films almost any major event we have. Unless there was more than one camera, that's who you saw filming. The film is placed in the archive and also sourced for clips on our monthly public access show "Out at the Center."

You can watch past episodes at www.gaycenter.org I know there's one on Anthony Rapp's reading last spring for those who are interested, and I believe there are clips of Christine Ebersole singing on the episode about Garden Party. if they put Sherie's concert into an episode you'll be able to see it online once the episode airs. I'll try to find out what the plans are.

You can contact the head of Center Media about getting copies of the whole show, but I gurantee they won't release them without Sherie's permission.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it so much - I heard her rehearsing earlier in the day and she sounded amazing! Hope you'll come by the Center again soon :)

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:40am

I really wish I could have been there But through these reviews, I feel as if I was! Sherie is one of my favorire people/performers of all time.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 4:47pm

I wish I could've been there. I love this woman. She has that kind of voice that just radiates emotion and intimacy, it just touches you with every song she sings.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:04pm

I hope this ia available since I love her and had to miss this. Updated On: 12/5/06 at 05:04 PM

[Ariella]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:30pm

I'm glad it was so awesome. I adore Sherie and her work, so I hope it gets released in some form.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 6:42pm

That really does sound wonderful - I wish I could have been there.