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Out On A Whim
CINDY BENSON melds a wicked sense of humor with pure lyricism and grace, she is a tiny wisp of a thing with a voice that can break your heart one moment and leave you laughing helplessly the next. She travels genres and cross-pollinates cabaret with jazz and musical theater, injecting each style with her unmistakable personality. She is like catching Ethel Merman in mid-career, with a touch of Phyllis Diller's self-deprecating wit thrown in for good measure. Her physical humor and interpretation transport you in a way that is uniquely CINDY. She is startlingly real and vivid and yet theatrical at the same time. Her musical selections range from wacky to sentimental. Her trying to get on the piano is funny and original classic pantomime. She does a tribute spoof of Nancy Sinatra that is inspired. This is a rare performer of royal lineage that will be around forever, and you'll be glad you caught up with her, for the sheer exuberance and vigor of her presentation, not to mention her Broadway chops. BENSON is wonderfully wacky and not to be missed.
Reviews and Quotes
"Her one woman show "OUT ON A WHIM" is part theatre, part cabaret, part comedy club, all tied up in a nifty little package. There's little more frightening than a bare stage for most performers, and it's the truly good ones who can take that rectangle and run with it. BENSON is one such, and her show is a testament to her many skills"
**Critic's Choice** Joe Morris - Los Angeles DRAMALOGUE
"In her one woman show, CINDY BENSON is reminiscent of Shirley Maclaine, a musical comedy voice that can pierce to the rafters."
Stephen Holden - NY TIMES
"BENSON is devastating singing a torch song, turning it into an aching heartbreaker."
Bob Harrington - NY POST
"BENSON'S exceptionally well-styled comedy blended with pathos in song makes for an outstanding cabaret event. Bursting onto the stage like a tiny tornado, she takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride of emotional riffs. She has a penchant for physical comedy, easily identified with some of the greats of yesteryear, and rivaled by few of her contemporaries. A gifted interpreter of ballads, nothing short of sensational"
John Hoglund - NY NATIVE
"Energetic ebullience and distinctive star quality, BENSON'S a ball of fire, and an extraordinary musical comedian to boot. Her physical comedy recalls Lucille Ball at her best... she echoes Imogene Coca. But there is an originality to BENSON that makes her very much her own creation."
Bob Harrington - NY POST
"She can hold a note as long as Ethel Merman, a multitalented performer"
George Christy - HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"CINDY BENSON'S superb comedic abilities are reminiscent of such movie comediennes as Betty Hutton, Nancy Walker, and Martha Raye."
Julio Martinez - DAILY VARIETY
Song Titles
1. GORGEOUS (includes a hilarious pantomime of getting dressed to go out on a date)
2. MR. RIGHT (includes a hilarious bit of physical comedy of trying to climb on the piano)
3. BROADWAY BABY (from FOLLIES)
4. MEMORY (from CATS)
5. I DREAMED A DREAM (from LES MISRABLES)
6. GOOCH'S SONG (from MAME-delightful song about a nerdy woman who gets pregnant...unexpectedly)
7. PETS (song of a woman who adores & describes her stable of various animals)
8. SONG OF THE MOTH (poignant ballad about going after your dreams)
9. BOSTON BEGUINE (from FACES OF 1952 made famous by Alice Ghostley)
10. IF YOU LOVE ME (made famous by Edith Piaf)
11. MORE THAN YOU KNOW (standard love ballad)
12. FEELIN TOO GOOD TODAY BLUES (includes a delightful soft shoe/tap dance)
13. BILL/CAN'T HELP LOVIN THAT MAN OF MINE (from SHOWBOAT)
14. IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER (poignant ballad recorded by Diana Ross for animated feature film "The Land Before Time")
15. HIGH NOTES (wacky Nancy Sinatra impersonation w/blonde wig)
16. MR. PAGANINI (unique and funny take on a song sung by Martha Raye & Ella Fitzgerald)
17. ONE MORE WALK AROUND THE GARDEN (touching ballad about getting old)
18. RIDIN' HIGH (includes a delightful pantomime of blowing up a balloon and being taken on a journey through the sky)
19. ERROLL FLYNN (poignant ballad written by Amanda McBroom)
20. EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES (from GYPSY)
Related Artists
Cindy Benson
On Broadway, Cindy Benson starred as the comedy lead, Mme.Thenardier in LES MISERABLES and recently came off the National Tour. Also on Broadway and...