CD: INSIDE THE MUSIC (Fynsworth Alley)

After striking work in Promises, Promises, Company, and On the Town (ྃ revival) then her triumph in A Chorus Line, Donna McKechnie found New York roles only in such short-lived shows as Annie Warbucks and State Fair, plus a few concert mountings. But she has kept busy, recently performing in prominent productions of Mack & Mabel, Company, A Little Night Music, Gypsy, and Follies (her Carlotta in next month's L.A. Reprise! mounting is her third role in the show, having done Sally for Paper Mill and Phyllis for the BBC).

She has also performed her autobiographical solo show Inside the Music to acclaim at both theatres and cabaret venues. As was the case with the Elaine Stritch-John Lahr collaboration on At Liberty, Christopher Durang shaped McKechnie's reminiscences for the script; directing is McKechnie's fellow A Chorus Line original cast member Thommie Walsh.

As with Stritch's show, the songs included range from those she introduced in shows to others used to tell her story, which begins with childhood inspiration from the movies, and moves on to romantic relationships, early shows (How to Succeed..., ...Forum), then the major ones, on Broadway and elsewhere. A special treat is the chance to hear “Inside the Music,” the first attempt by Marvin Hamlisch and Ed Kleban at a song for A Chorus Line's Cassie (as McKechnie amusingly demonstrates, it was too rangy, and was replaced by “The Music and the Mirror”).

Accompanied by three musicians, the recording, made before a live audience, cuts some of the spoken portions. The obvious drawback here is that while McKechnie is a very fine singer, one wants to see her move (the show's choreographic credits include Michael Bennett, Bob Fosse, Walsh, and McKechnie). Nevertheless, McKechnie's warmth, sincerity and professionalism shine through and make for appealing listening. Given the recent success of such solo shows (and the fact that The New York Times' Ben Brantley raved over McKechnie's act at Arci's), one wouldn't be surprised to see Inside the Music returning to New York for a limited run at an intimate theatre.

5/31/02