Susan Granger’s review of “Jodi Stevens: A Broad’s Way” at B.J. Ryan’s Magnolia Room
There’s a new cabaret venue in Fairfield County: B.J. Ryan’s cozy, intimate Magnolia Room on 57 Main Street in Norwalk.
On April 20, luminous Jodi Stevens SOLD OUT for her one-woman show “A Broad’s Way.” A compelling performer, she radiates intelligence, depth and absolute authenticity – plus a charming storytelling ability.
Opening with “Let’s Raise the Roof” from Off-Broadway’s “The Wild Party,” Jodi set the festive mood for the evening. Some family reminisces followed with “When I Was a Boy” and “More Than You Know,” which was sweet, sensitive and, ultimately sublime.
Continuing, between numbers, Jodi mused about her chosen profession: “the messy business of show.” While earning her BFA from Penn State University, her theater professor sat her down with The New York Times Theatre Directory. Despite his cautionary warning, she headed for Manhattan, where she landed an agent and scored coveted roles in the original company of “Urban Cowboy” and “Jekyll & Hyde.”
Seamlessly transitioning between a Veronica Lake-type ‘film noir’ seductress and the bawdy, horn-toting Mazeppa, belting “You Gotta Have a Gimmick” from “Gypsy,” Jodi manages to be a femme fatale and funny at the same time…her inventive Marlene Dietrich imitation is to die for.
Particularly in her phrasing, Jodi draws on her solid acting experience, presenting a cool, confident and convivial stage presence.
Her challenging song choices include “I Concentrate on You,” “Orange-Colored Sky” and “No Moon At All,” blended with “That Old Devil Moon,” concluding with David Friedman’s upbeat “Live It Up.”
Look for Jodi Stevens to return to B.J. Ryan’s Magnolia Room again soon in this no-frills show with the support of Jerold Goldstein on the piano.