Eric Michael Gillett

Eric Michael Gillett

Best of My Love

Metropolitan Room
New York, NY
In a departure for these pages, this review was written in part by audience members  – themselves performers – who spontaneously e-mailed the cabaret community after attending Eric Michael Gillett’s new show, Best of My Love, at the Metropolitan Room, in July. Said one: “This is how to do cabaret! This is how to be real and in the moment! His joy in singing is infectious. It’s a night full of love, laughter and heartbreak.” Said another: “Go see this amazing man sing his heart out! While his voice is stupendous, it’s his heart that makes this show so special. There are so many highlights that it’s hard to pick a favorite moment.” A third: “Eric poured his heart and soul into an incredible evening of music, showing range and depth we rarely get to hear. Eric has spent so much time teaching and directing other artists, it is wonderful to see him work his own magic.”

As Eric himself pointed out, the show was “5 years in the making, 57 years in the living,” with material ranging from Broadway to rock to pop, woven together in part with Eric’s humorous commentary on his love life and/or lack thereof. Highlights were a medley of Craig Carnelia’s portraits-in-song, and Eric’s finale, a new song from Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, “Ever After.”  Masterful arrangements were executed by Don Rebic at the piano and Steve Doyle on bass, with Michael Barbieri contributing changing emphasis through his lighting. As one of the e-mailers says, “See this show; it’s a gift to yourself.”

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
July 8, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org