"'SWONDERFUL! 'SMARVELOUS! MARK NADLER"
Propelled by his passion for the lyrics of Ira Gershwin, Mark Nadler turns the life of this shy, self-effacing "second-fiddle" to his lionized, younger brother George into a vivid, enthralling theater piece at the Metropolitan Room.
Nadler named the show"...His Lovely Wife, Ira" as a rebuke to the infamous faux pas made by an English radio announcer who was referring to the Gershwins.
Known as the ampersand to his first-place brother George, Nadler shines the spotlight on Ira Gershwin, pointing out that Ira also wrote lyrics for many ' composers such as Harold Arlen, Burton Lane, Jerome Kern, Vernon Duke, and Kurt Weill.
Packed audiences at the Metropolitan Room, many who came again, share their awe at Nadler's exciting, entertaining delivery of scholarly information combined with his unique, creative approach to songs. Accompanying himself, his piano-playing is so richly fulfilling that additional instruments aren't missed.
Nadler's infectious verve and ready wit are in abundance, as always. And his heart-felt performance of "Someone to Watch Over Me" evokes some of the most resounding bravos.
Overwhelmed by perfectionist Ira Gershwin's hard work searching for the perfect words, Nadler informs us that sometimes this meant as many as 40 re-rewrites. "Moonlight Madness" finally became "Long Ago and Far Away" in the 40th version.
Yet, Ira Gershwin willingly re-wrote his lyrics at the request of singers. This most obliging lyricist only became angered when his lyrics were changed without consulting him. Singers should not think of even changing "'Swonderful!" to It's wonderful
Early in the show, Nadler illustrates how lyricists used dummy lyrics to keep track of rhythms before there were tape recorders. He shows how the repetition of a rhythm finally became "Fascinating Rhythm".
Attesting to the lasting, contemporary feel of Ira Gershwin's lyrics, Nadler slyly says that one of these songs could be the debate between intelligent design and evolution. I won't ruin the punchline by revealing the name of this song. Dear reader, you'll have to figure it out for yourself --- or much, much better see Mark Nadler at the Metropolitan Room before his show closes.
One can only hope that this remarkable show will be extended and made into a DVD.