An Evening with Billy Stritch ★★★★★ The Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zédel | April 14 & 18, 2022


We were hoping for the perfect night of cabaret and Billy Stritch delivered. He completely controlled the mood of the room from the moment he sat down at the piano. He had us "flying to the moon" and he made us "glad to be unhappy." We chuckled through "The Coffee Song" and felt the wistful longing of Hoagy Carmichael's masterpiece "Skylark." He brought new life to old favourites and introduced us to some new ones with Peter Allen's "Planes," and "Let Me Down Easy." He also allowed us to share his love for this music by singing along, and introduced us to a new star in the cabaret firmament. Debbie Wileman simply took our breath away in the amazing duet, "Since You Left New York," and she stunned us when she channeled the spirit of Judy Garland in a moving tribute. Billy Stritch's show at The Crazy Coqs is a masterclass in the art of cabaret. He creates an intimacy and rapport with his audience that allows them to inhabit the music.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by KWPR

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