Source: NY1: On Stage
Date: November 30, 2007
Byline: Roma Torre

"Make Me A Song"

Show revues featuring the songs of well-known composers or lyricists are a mixed bag. Often the show's creators add a lot of frills and gimmicks that tend to distract from the music.

Not so with "Make Me A Song," a very straightforward revue of the work of William Finn. Not exactly a household name but Finn is a highly respected songwriter whose most successful show, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" isn't even included in this array of songs. And yet, "Make Me a Song" is full of so many other tuneful gems, part of the fun is re-discovering a major talent.

Under an ever-present neon blue image of Finn's face, Adam Heller, serving as something of an alter ego performs the title song which we learn was written for Mandy Patinkin. Joining Heller are three other singers who deliver their numbers with eloquent simplicity and flair. Winner of two Tony awards for writing and scoring Falsettos on Broadway, Finn, who is Jewish and gay, likes to draw on his own life experiences. The song "Passover," which Playbill notes tell us was inspired by a particular childhood memory, is especially delightful.

Finn loves to write about quirky subjects, which allows him to show off his wit and odd sense of humor. But he also composes beautiful ballads. Rarely sentimental, they evoke wells of feeling that strike great responsive chords.

D.B. Bonds' buttery tenor is well-suited to the ballads. Everyone is ideally cast. Darren R. Cohen at the lone piano is terrific; Sally Wilfert's natural versatility is a big plus; Adam Heller's comically dry delivery seems to channel Finn at every turn; and Sandy Binion captures the darker edgy numbers with a fine intensity.

Conceived and directed by Rob Ruggiero, who's obviously in tune with his subject, "Make Me A Song" doesn't add anything new to the form, but it displays a respect and understanding of the material that makes Finn's songs irresistible.