Reviews of The Girl That I Marry (2004)

"That fineness is shared by Elaine St. George in her solo act The Girl I Marry. St. George combines a great mezzo voice with interpretive skill approaching that of a Keely Smith or Christine Ebersole, and she also infuses these cabaret glories with mighty lesbionic - and mighty romantic and sophisticated - patter about gay marriage. How very subversive is her simple assumption of the rightness of same-sex pairing coated with old-fashioned American Songbook sentimentality (she's released an EP of songs from this act that all have something "old-fashioned" about them). A classically croony club act focused on people of the same sex spending their lives together? What a delicious new wrinkle this is!" -- HX, October 29, 2004

"Here's some advice for those people celebrating the end of "Gay Pride Week" this weekend: conserve just a bit of energy so that you can enjoy Elaine St. George's breezy trip through the great American songbook "The Girl That I Marry." It plays two final performances at the Peter Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons next Monday night.

"In "Girl", St. George has chosen 21 songs ranging from "Old Fashioned Love" (1923) to "Love Who You Love (from A Man of No Importance in 2002) and loosely tied them together with comic commentary about the issue of gay marriage, and later, a loving tribute to her partner of eight years. (St. George says that they've been sporting the jewelry - meaning a ring - for four).

"The singer's irreverent patter works nicely for the most part and can amuse (mom and dad using the savings account they started for her wedding to buy themselves a Mercedes). What's more terrific is St. George's exquisite delivery of the songs in this "out and proud" piece. She can be blues-y and soulful ("Legalize My Name" from St. Louis Woman); impish (a clever arrangement of "Get Me to the Church on Time from "My Fair Lady" and "Not Getting Married Today" from Company; and bawdy ("Old Fashioned Love Story" from Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party). In the "Church/Married" section, St. George doesn't miss a beat as she switches between the two numbers. In "Story", St. George delivers the comic piece nearly as well as Alix Korey, who originated the tune. St. George also possesses a gorgeous soprano that is heard at its best in a heartfelt and soaring rendition of "So Many People" by Sondheim.

"Musical director Janice Friedman on piano and Adam Armstrong on bass provide just the right backup for St. George and these songs as they celebrate (and gently tease) the institution of marriage and being in love. The two musicians move easily between the historical periods and styles of these songs, never intruding on the star of the evening St. George. Somehow I think if they could get a permanent space for "The Girl That I Marry", it might become the spot for proposals that precede (at least for the gay folks in the audience) a trip to Massachusetts." -- AmericanTheater Web, June 23, 2004

I was totally captivated by Elaine St. George's show on Monday night at PETER JAY SHARP THEATER AT PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS. The name of the show is "The Girl That I Marry," and the theme of course, is gay marriage. Quite frankly, I was prepared for a lot of political talk but instead was treated to a delightful, balanced, logical, reasoned and absolutely entertaining hour of very familiar songs given a second reading from a new perspective. Ms. St. George's vocals are astounding - and so is this show. - Cabaret Hotline Online, June 24, 2004

"Statuesque as the models of Botero is the excellent ["bravissima"] singer Elaine St. George at the P. Jay SHarp theatre. She has Italian blood, and shows it with her passion and sense of humor. She also teases men; we deserve it, sometimes. In her show, "The Girl That I Marry," she sings, with clear and melodious tones, tens of songs about love; all types of love and desire." -- America Oggi, June 2004 (translated from Italian)

The Girl That I Marry (1999)

"Barbara Cook and Elaine St. George must have been separated at birth. St. George hits the same gorgeous, shimmery notes as the grande dame of cabaret but she puts a decidedly modern spin on her music in her show 'The Girl That I Marry.'" -- Time Out New York, April 22-29, 1999

"I finally caught up with singer Elaine St. George in her new show, 'The Girl That I Marry,' directed by Ellen Rievman, with music direction by Paul Katz, at Judy's Chelsea. One publication recently compared her singing to Barbara Cook's. Since Cook is one of my favorites, I was eager to hear this young lady who's been on the club circuit for about two years. It wasn't fair to compare her to Cook -- or to anyone -- at this early stage of her career. St. George has plenty to offer on her own. I was taken by her own very warm phrasing (Cook's forte) and expressive mezzo voice.

"Bringing a new spin to the theme of marriage, this out-of-the-closet lesbian artist did a formidable job on some tricky songs, making for an engaging hour. She was particularly adept at singing Sondheim songs such as 'Not Getting Married Today,' 'Sorry, Grateful,' and 'Could I Leave You?'

"The lively set moved well and St. George delineated being gay as only a part of who she really is (avoiding the obvious camp and cheap shots others have tried). When she sang Berlin's 'The Girl That I Marry' and, later, Loesser's gorgeous 'More I Cannot Wish You,' she created tender moments about love -- gender was a non-issue. I believe she has a very bright future ahead." -- Back Stage, June 18, 1999

"Lesbian torch singer Elaine St. George makes a play for the altar in The Girl That I Marry, her sunny revue of songs on the joys of gettin' hitched. St. George superbly matches her ruby-throated vocals to a dreamy repertoire of standards. She simply owns the Sondheim numbers; his intricate melodic tricks and her calming vocal charms are a match made in heaven." -- HX, June 11, 1999

"This out-and-proud lesbian singer has a creamy, thrilling soprano startlingly akin to that of the superb Barbara Cook. And, refreshingly, St. George doesn't change a single pronoun in her new show, The Girl That I Marry." -- Time Out New York, June 10-17, 1999

"Shattering stereotypes with her gorgeous soprano, this out-and-proud lesbian singer caps a stellar monthlong run at Judy's with her final Pride show, The Girl That I Marry. Haven't made your reservations yet? You better go, girl! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)" -- Time Out New York June 24-July 1, 1999

"I finally got around to catching Elaine St. George's new show at Judy's and it is something exceptional. It's called The Girl That I Marry and it's even more captivating than her last outing. The way her voice rises and crests with each phrase is masterly in the way it grips you and takes you along with it. On numbers like 'More I Cannot Wish You' from Guys and Dolls, her vocals assume the quality of a warm embrace that would liquefy even the most cynical heart. Her anecdotal patter is sharp, well-written, pointed, and serves each and every song smartly. And there's a brilliantly satiric medley squaring off the winsomely romantic 'When I Fall in Love' with the steely-eyed 'Could I Leave You?' from Follies. ...I know strictly speaking it should be The Girl WHOM I Marry. But where the hell's the romance in that?" --- WVOX, June 4, 1999

Check the review from Theater Review here...