Sterling’s Upstairs at Vitello’s is becoming the de rigueur place to introduce a new act or new CD, or enter into the difficult world of cabaret. Thea Gill, a beautiful actress known for her appearance on Queer as Folk, made her cabaret debut on December 11 at this charming supper club. She was under good direction from veteran cabaret director David Galligan who has directed AIDS benefits around the country. Her musical director was Grammy Award winning composer and arranger Gail Deadrick.
Ms. Gill made her entrance in a slinky red number, slit up the side, looking for all the world like Jessica Rabbit, sexy, sultry, and a bit dangerous. But there was no reason to be afraid because Thea Gill is a wonderful torch singer. Torch singing is her first love and she treated us to an evening of it. She sang several songs made famous by Doris Day, “Night and Day,” “I’ll Never Stop Loving You,” and Ruth Etting’s “Ten Cents a Dance.” One of her best numbers was “Something Cool” made famous by '50s jazz artist June Christy. She also sang a song a song written by Ira Gershwin after the passing of his brother George, a touching “Our Love is Here to Stay.” In addition she included an intriguing song called “On A Bus To St. Cloud.”
Ms. Gill has a nice voice that's well suited for this material, but a whole evening of it was just too much. Perhaps this is what she wants to be known for, or her advisors limited her to these kinds of songs. Perhaps as she develops her act further she can add more variety.
Thea Gill presented an evening of torch songs at Sterling’s Upstairs at Vitello’s on Dec. 11.
Article comments
1 - AndyB
June Christie is the 50's jazz artist who recorded "Something Cool". Julie Christie is the Academy Award-winning British actress who starred in "Doctor Zhivago".
2 - robert machray
oops