Amanda Reckonwith: In Residential Care
Theatre Review of Broadway icon, David Sabella as Amanda Reckownwith by one of Broadway’s chiefest chroniclers, the great Robert Viagas
These two Great Bright Way alumni had a wonderful time at Amanda’s latest showing and took time to hold court in the restuarant sharing quotes from their books.
As the Wicked Witch of the West famously lamented, “What a world, what a world.”
We now have haters from Tennessee and other red states to thank for attempting to twist the naughty, witty, fun tradition of drag performance into what they perceive as a sinister political act. Indeed, a crime.
Luckily, New York once again can embrace well-named Amanda Reckonwith, back from a 25-year hiatus/rest cure, to sing us golden showtunes and opera, and to entertain us with wicked double-entendre patter during her monthly apparitions spéciales on the stage of Pangea nightclub in the West Village (and elsewhere), collectively titled In Residential Care.
Amanda Reckonwith is the alter-ego of Broadway actor David Sabella, who originated the role of sob-sister Mary Sunshine in the current epically long-running revival of Chicago.
Among the more delicious moments in the new show: A murderously funny “To Keep My Love Alive” by Rodgers and Hart. Singing both Maria and Anita’s parts in the duet “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” from West Side Story. And a salute to gone-too-young chanteuse Nancy LaMott with “How Deep Is the Ocean.” Amanda also tipped her wig to one of the earliest and greatest of American female impersonators, Julian Eltinge, finding new life in the ballad “Those Come-Hither eyes,” custom written for Eltinge by Jerome Kern in 1914.
In between gulped martinis, Amanda makes fun of her age, which somehow has grown during her long sabbatical. Some of her jokes have mellowed with the years, like a lovingly refrigerated Dubonnet. Once classed as a Spinto Soprano, she now admits to being a “Spento” Soprano. “I found my top wasn’t what it used to be.” (Pause) “I’m sure you can all relate to that.”
But some of the gags are now almost old enough to vote, including one about Vice President Dick Cheney’s 2006 hunting accident. Time to vote that one out of office.
Given that this was Amanda’s Pride Month performance, a little more current political bite might have been expected. But that kind of confrontation is not Amanda’s style. Standing up proudly as a drag artist is commentary enough, reflected in her opening medley of “Born This Way” and “I Enjoy Being a Girl.”
Amanda Reckonwith: In Residential Care is written, directed and performed by Sabella and special guests, with musical direction by Mark Hartman.
Arts Independent 