With two distinctly different shows currently on the schedule at Manhattan’s famous venue Don’t Tell Mama, singer-songwriter Becca Kidwell is certainly one of the busiest women in the New York City cabaret world today.  People who have seen her many previous original shows in the past have praised the award-winner for both her talents as well as her willingness to share her personal stories with her audience.  Directed by Tanya Moberly, Kidwell’s new show Love Songs opened with a brief commentary on the ongoing epidemic of cruelty in modern day society (sadly but oh-so-perfectly symbolized by the NYC public transportation system…) before launching into a hard-edged, street-smart musical plea for kindness: (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.  Written in the ’70’s, the song couldn’t be timelier as we approach 2025. (Heads up: This won’t be the first time you’ll be reading about transgenerational relevance…)  Kidwell has often spoken about her shyness in past shows– but once she starts singing, we know that this performer is clearly in her element.  The song is boosted by no less than perfect accompaniment by her musicians– John Weber on piano and Ritt Henn on bass– which the audience clearly recognized and appreciated. (Weber is also Musical Director.)  Without missing a beat of the show’s precious one-hour run time, Kidwell continued with Frank Loesser’s I’ve Never Been in Love Before, a fine display of her impressive vocal talents– specifically, her lush high notes.  

As mentioned earlier, one of Becca Kidwell’s trademarks is her personal rapport with her audiences. Love Songs, however, was all about the singing. As she declared early on in the show:  “Love is the answer.  It’s what heals over time.”  Kidwell’s musical exploration of all things L-O-V-E– the good, the bad, and the ugly– is a 21-song marathon, with eight of the songs having “love” right in their name.   Kidwell’s energy level is no less than astonishing.  Among the many impressive things of Love Songs was the sheer variety of Becca’s playlist.  The audience was treated to everything from 1940’s cabaret standards by Cole Porter (Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye), to the quietly beautiful Thank You written by her friend Meg Flather, to Kidwell’s own original compositions. (More about that later…)  Along the way, there were a lot of musical baubles thrown in, from the campily delightful (Grow Old with You, from the Adam Sandler movie The Wedding Singer), to the iconic (Dolly Parton’s Here You Come Again) to hit songs which Becca seems perfectly suited to sing (Heart’s 1985 What About Love). She even throws in an appropriately all-out, over-the-top delivery of the cult fave It Was a Shit Show from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which is possibly the only showtune to include “Jerry Springer” in the lyrics.  Just as the songs are diverse, so is Kidwell’s persona as she delivers them.  She alternates between sexy and cool (The Good Ways), to flirtatious and girlish (Mr. Darcy, one of her absolutely delightful originals), to heartbreakingly vulnerable (Lose You to Love Me), to mirthfully campy– such as when Mr. Henn picks up the ukelele for Becca’s take on Jason Mraz’ I’m Yours. 

So… about Becca Kidwell’s other original songs: Settle For Tears, written with Lynda DeFuria, is no less than triumphant.  Emotional Creature is intense and leaves the audience begging for more.  Let Go and Love, also co-written with Lynda DeFuria, is somber and beautiful.  

Kidwell was prudent to include Louder Than Words from the late Jonathan Larson’s Tick Tick Boom.  Although this musical is now over 20 years old (Whoa!), the lyrics couldn’t be any more eerily relevant today:  

“Cages or wings, which do you prefer? (Cages or wings)
Ask the birds
Fear or love, baby? Don’t say the answer
Actions speak louder than words (louder than, louder than…)“

Could 2025 be the year of Becca Kidwell?  Let’s hope so!  
Love Songs continues at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St., New York City, on Friday, March 16th, 2025 at 7PM.  See Becca Kidwell’s full performance schedule at Storyteller-Singer-Songwriter, Becca C. Kidwell – MAC Award Nominee & Broadway World Award Winner