Mary Beth Lacey

Mary Beth Lacey strode on stage at Barrington Stage in Pittsfield tonight in spike-heeled, open toed, pink pumps and a lot of Irish wit. In her current role as Tyne Daly she sang and acted her way through a barrage of eclectic songs from Broadway and other venues in a voice that seemed to be able to do just about anything it wanted to. Belt, sweet, head voice; it all worked.

This was the first time I had seen her cabaret act, which is a relatively new venue for her, and she is sensational. In a black, short skirted two piece number, she waltzed around the stage relating stories of her career and of show business in general.

Having just seen Barbara Cook at the Mahaiwe a couple of weeks ago, a comparison was inevitable. Of course Barbara is 83 and Tyne is in her 60's, but they both have that show-biz edge that cuts through the crap.

Her wide-ranging choice of music was amazing. Many of the songs I had never heard before. There were also some old favorites starting with a George M. Cohan song from 1904. She sang a Piaf type song in very good French and could toss off dramatic numbers or funny songs with equal ease.

There is something indomitable about these Broadway Babies who have been around for a few years that knocks me out. The energy and verve that both women showed was vital. At one point, perched on a stool, showing her gams up quite a ways beneath her skirt, she quipped, 'These are my original legs!'  And they're still good.

Her pianist, bass player and drummer were excellent and it was a great evening. I was happy to be there.