Written by Sandi Durell
“I belong to myself, all alone” might be enlightenment for some, but for Mark Nadler it’s seeking his deeper levels, reaching for more in a world that many times can be described as mediocrity. Nadler has worn the crown as supreme entertainer, singer, pianist, dancer, even vaudevillian for some time. This ambitious and sometimes dark show explores both Nadler’s personal heritage, forever questioning, with his superb storytelling abilities, presenting songs in French and German.
Piecing together the history of the German Weimar Republic beginning in 1919 into the 1920s, the bawdy, rowdy lives of the artists, songwriters, the beginnings of a revolution of a gay movement, Nadler explores an era overflowing with many brave people. It was a difficult time to be brave; WW I had just ended, a new constitution was in place creating a liberal democracy. Germany had not been friendly to gays and Jews. These were the days of Lotte Lenya (married to Kurt Weill), living a free and liberal life, and Piaf, the little sparrow – - a coming out party on many levels.
Mark Nadler began his career as a pianist/singer in Greenwich Village at the Five Oaks, which he considered a true Weimar Cabaret – a compilation of every type, even royalty. He was 20 years old. He, too, was a brave soul, venturing out as a gay Jew, having grown up in Waterloo, Iowa.
Rekindling the history of the great artists of the era, Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Charles Aznavour, Friedrich Hollaender and more, Nadler, sometimes at the piano, other times stage center on the mic, amazed, amused and revealed as he occasionally recited poetic English lyrics to German and French songs before singing them.
“La Boheme,” sung in French & English, (Aznavour, Plante,Kretzmer – Eng.) is a cry for lost youth, a longing of younger more difficult days of our lives; the dramatic yearning “I’m A Stranger Here Myself” (Weill/Nash) speaks of love, an attempt at understanding its existence and one’s place in the perplexity of love.
For wry humor, try on Weill/Dietz’ “Schickelgruber” – who was that you ask? It was Adolph Hitler’s name before he changed it. What better way to make fun of one of the most hated men in history. The revealing1920 “The Lavender Song” (Spoliansky,Schwabach, Lawrence –Eng.), was a gay anthem, way before its time. A period of great confusion – “Ich WeiB Nicht, Zu Wem Ich Gehore ( I Don’t Know Who I Belong To) by Hollaender, Liebmann, Lawrence – Eng., was followed by the Schwartz/Dietz classic “By Myself.”
Additional musical accompaniment is by William Schimmel on accordion and Christine Kwak on violin.
The times were turbulent but by the end of Nadler’s show and personal stories, it was evident why he chose to research the era, the people, the songs; the inspiration for this unique rendering is very specific. I don’t want to give away anything further because you must see this show and it will all be revealed. This is Mark Nadler as you’ve never before seen him. He never disappoints, his brilliance always shining through.
“I’m A Stranger Here Myself” runs at 5:30 p.m. on 10/21, 28 and 11/4, 11.
Photos: Russ Weatherford
Posted by Sandi Durell
on October 9, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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