Susan Granger’s review of “Leslie Orofino: Cocktails with Cole” at B.J. Ryan’s Magnolia Room
Leslie Orofino was “D’Lovely,” inviting audiences to “Misbehave” at B.J. Ryan’s new cabaret club called the Magnolia Room on 57 Main Street in Norwalk.
Exploring the Cole Porter songbook in song and story, Ms. Orofino enchanted patrons with her flirtatious stage presence, down-to-earth personality and a sense of humor that seems to come naturally. Between songs, she sprinkled short anecdotes or personal musings to set up each number.
According to Ms. Orofino, when Cole Porter was at Yale, he first found his niche as a song writer, which led to his disastrous Broadway debut, writing the comic opera “See America First.” After that flopped, Cole fled to Paris, where he spent 20 years as the toast of café society.
With a sound that is simultaneously subtle and seductive, this supple-voiced songstress delighted with “You Don’t Know Paree,” “C’est Magnifque,” and “Let’s Fall in Love.” That heralded Cole’s meeting elegant divorcee Linda Lee Thomas, whom he married in 1919.
Adding to what I thought I knew about Cole Porter, Ms. Orofino explained how his close friendship with Irving Berlin brought Porter back to the United States, writing American songs with a French flavor for the show “Paris,” which introduced “Let’s Do it,” moving pop songs to a more sophisticated musical and emotional level.
The tragic horseback riding accident Porter suffered in 1937 left him in constant pain for the rest of his life, yet he composed ”Night and Day” and “Begin the Beguine,” among many others.
Other of Ms. Orofino’s highlights include “I Get a Kick Out of You,” blended with “You Do Something To Me” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?” Plus “It’s Too Darn Hot,” from “Kiss Me Kate.” The melodies, which were perfect back in Porter’s dry-martini era, are still perfect today.
Ms. Orofino is accompanied by Daryl Kojak at the piano and Boots Maleson on the bass and directed by Louis Pietig.
When her enthusiastic audience clamored for an encore, Ms. Orofino concluded the evening with “You’re the Top.” She’s the top! Leslie Orofino’s nostalgic and heartfelt tribute to Cole Porter is not to be missed.