Through the years the public has enjoyed Leslie Uggams as a renowned singer and dramatic actress, her Broadway fame dating pack to her debut that won her a 1968 Tony award for her work in “Hallelujah Baby!” Now, at 66, she is taking stock of her career travel with a delightful and vigorous show (March 30-April 17, 2010) at the chic Café Carlyle. It is clear from the outset that Uggams is sure of herself and knows exactly how she wants to mold her seasoned experience into intensely personal communication. The format is tracing her show business journey from the days when as a nine-year-old she performed in Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater to her downtown triumphs.
Looking glamorous and spirited, she recalls working with Louis Armstrong. Her “(Up a) Lazy River” is delivered in a style reminiscent of Satchmo, complete with her amusingly raspy impersonation. She also does what in effect is a salute to Ella Fitzgerald, with whom she also appeared, singing, Ella style, “A Tisket, A-Tasket.” She is admiring of Dinah Washington, another of the stars in the days when she played the Apollo until she was 16, and she illustrates the adulation with “I Wanna Be Around.”
Uggams veers from showing her soft, mellow side to emoting with power. She sets the tone for her more dynamic renditions early on with “There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon for New York,” by the Gershwins, and slips into a “New York, New York” follow-up. She is captivating singing “Them There Eyes,” and there is pure beauty in the way she sings “Up on the Roof” softly and delicately.
Her other selections are eclectic, showing off her range with such numbers as “Born in a Trunk,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Summertime,” “I Got Plenty of Nothin’,” and “If He Walked Into My Life.” Since I recall having seen “Hallelujah Baby!,” it was a pleasure to hear her reprise “Being Good” from that show, a welcome burst of nostalgia.
Uggams notes that she has been working on a musical called “Stormy Weather,” in which she plays Lena Horne, and that it has had good results in two cities. Her hopes are pinned on bringing it into New York, where she says it really belongs. She tops off the information with her closing number, a socko finish with her own rousing interpretation of “Stormy Weather.” As her encore, she sings “Love,” another number from her bourgeoning musical.
One comes away from the Carlyle with a new appreciation for Uggams, who, in this first New York cabaret appearance in nearly 20 years, not only demonstrates her musical maturity, but in doing so delivers a grand evening of generous, personable entertainment that gives us a chance to get to know her all over again. An added plus is the fine work of the five-piece musical group backing her, including Don Rebic, musical director and pianist; Aaron Heick, woodwinds; Steve Bargonetti, guitar; Ray Kilday, bass, and Buddy Williams, drums. At the Café Carlyle in the Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th Street (at Madison Avenue). Phone: 212-744-1600.