BWW Reviews: Melody Hollis Melodious in Melodyland

On Wednesday August 10 thirteen year-old triple threat performer Melody Hollis debuted her one-woman show Melodyland @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's to a packed house of enthusiastic fans. Produced and directed by Bruce Kimmel, Melodyland is perhaps the only cabaret show for a talented young lady ... that young. However, it's a great idea for such an amazing talent. Hollis can not only sing, dance and patter with the best of them, but she has a certain savoir faire and wisdom that go far beyond her years. And she understands the meaning behind the lyrics of the songs she sings. Not easy, considering she sang Stephen Sondheim's "Children Will Listen" - has a child ever sung this before? - and an expert rendition of Kander & Ebb's "A Quiet Thing". Usually reserved for older people, who have had more experience with love and life, these songs require a rich understanding and interpretation, which, somehow, Hollis was able to supply. Her voice with time will be richer and more beautiful, so I can only imagine how dreamlike these will sound then. It doesn't hurt that your musical director is also your father - the wonderful Steve Hollis, giving the impression that Melody has been superbly trained and nurtured for seven years in the world of musical theatre.

Highlights of the evening included a song written especially for her by Bruce Kimmel: her opening number "Melodyland", which along with "Born to Entertain" from Ruthless really hit the mark, setting the tone for the 60-minute set. From Disney films there was "Part of Your World", as she has longed to play the Little Mermaid Ariel, a delightful Shermanized Medley of The Sherman Brothers songs: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins, "Fortuosity" from The Happiest Millionaire and "Gratifaction" from Tom Sawyer and, as encore, the always engaging "When You Wish Upon a Star". From Broadway there were two tunes from White Christmas: "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy", which she actually sang in the New York show and "Love You Done Me Wrong", which she was too young to sing, but now "This is my show!" She also provided the ever optimistic "Tomorrow" from Annie, in which she recently essayed the title role at MTW (Musical Theatre West). Other memorable moments included: "I Wanna Be a Rockette", Sondheim's comic "The Boy From" - again too advanced for her years but she handled it sublimely - a Rhythm Medley with "I Got Rhythm" and "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and a divaish "Hit Me With a Hot Note".

To say that in ten years time if Melody Hollis keeps singing, dancing and acting, she will be an incredible performer is truly an understatement. Her talent is unlimited and I predict great things for her. Brava!