www.theatreguide.com.au Supporting live theatre in South Australia PO Box 738
[email protected] MODBURY SA 5092 ABN : 93 297 960 525 GRAVITY – THE SONGS OF SARA BAREILLES Nexus Arts Until 15 Mar 2020 Review by Sarah Westgarth It’s hard to go wrong with the works of Sara Bareilles. She is the singer-songwriting talent of hits such as “Love Song” and “Brave”, the composer behind the Broadway smash “Waitress”, and in 2018, delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Mary Magdalene in NBC’s live concert production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” She’s been nominated for Grammys, Tonys, and Emmys, and proven herself time and again to be a versatile and highly accomplished writer and performer. Her music is more than worthy of a cabaret show dedicated to her, and “Gravity”, serves as a joyful celebration of her work. Clearly a passion project of lead singers Kim Spargo and Kate Lewis, the two women lead their band, Collected Musicians, and supporting vocalists Voice of Transition, through some of Bareilles’ biggest and best songs. While not always polished, the show is loaded with enough charm and talent to leave the audience in high spirits. The vocal talent of Spargo and Lewis is undeniable, especially when singing songs that are well suited for their range and individual styles. There are the occasional forgotten lyrics, a missed note, and moments that aren’t quite nailed, but they are few, and easily outnumbered by the numbers where everything works beautifully. Lewis’s powerful belt is something extraordinary, and used to great, soulful effect throughout the show.