Here Lies Jenny

Bebe Neuwirth is breathtaking in her Kurt Weill musical cabaret show, Here Lies Jenny, now at The Zipper Theater on West 37th Street. It's set in a deteriorated basement, and somehow the strung-together Weill songs, with lyrics by several writers (mostly Bertolt Brecht), as directed by Roger Rees, seems to make coherent dramatic sense. Starting with expressionistic Sturm and Drang, the show takes flight as Bebe reveals more of her inner self as a sublime dancer, and her superb body mesmerizes the audience with its fluidity as her distinctive voice tickles the songs, grinds them, caresses them. Ed Dixon's big voice gives life to the barkeep. Anthony Fraboni, a leading man if there ever was one, is smooth and strong as her principal dance partner, and Julio Monge is fine as the fourth voice and mover in the quartet. The only problem is that pianist Chris Fenwick, though mostly perfect as he lifts the songs with his accompaniment, gets carried away with his playing as songs reach their climaxes, and he fights the singer for attention. Uh uh!

The set by Neil Patell, lighting by Frances Aronson and costumes by Kaye Voyce all properly enhance the proceedings, and Ann Reinking's strong, subtle, imaginative choreography helps the show fly. The Zipper, with the back seats of automobiles as its seats, is a perfect venue for showcasing the brilliant, delectable, magical, dazzling Bebe.