The West End star has created a track list that fits in perfectly with every stage of her life and career to date.
Filled with warmth and charm, this live recording of her concert has plenty to offer musical theatre fans while also offering an insight as to how she has ended up in the UK.
Taking us from her roots in North Carolina and discovering she wanted she wanted to perform, all the way through to her time in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre and of course Cabaret, this is a very detailed and intimate album.
While on the surface it take us through the highlights of her career, performing in Waitress the Musical and Dreamgirls for example, what is also impressive is the way in which she has selected songs that fit into her personal life as well.
There are so many highlights not only performance wise but also in the stories that she tells with great warmth and honesty that proves why she is so popular with audiences. For example, ‘Mysterious Ways’ from The Color Purple perfectly ties in with her reminisces of her time in the church, before moving smoothly into a wonderful medley of Whitney Houston hits (full credit how the songs have been arranges as well) and references to Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan in story on how she would listen to them.
But of course the way in which she is able to open up about the most difficult times in her life such as the break up of her marriage, matched perfectly with ‘My Man’ from Funny Girl adds a sense of just how much time she put into selecting the songs that matter the most to her in terms of reflecting her own life.
Yet on another note, for anyone who had the privilege of catching her performance as Effie in Dreamgirls will be thrilled to listen to her powerful rendition of ‘And I’m Telling You’ that shows you just what she is capable of.
It is also hard not to enjoy the way in which she is able to throw so much personality into songs such as ‘I Cain’t Say No’ from Oklahoma and ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ from Guys & Dolls – both of which showcases how wonderful she is at doing comedy as well.
Elsewhere, there is a lovely reunion between Wallace and her co-stars in Waitress the Musical (she was joined by Lucie Jones and Laura Baldwin for this segment) – proving to be one of the most poignant moments on the album with a gorgeous rendition of ‘A Soft Place to Land’, alongside a tribute to Gavin Creel.
Throughout it all, there is love for musical theatre on display but just as importantly we get a sense of how grateful Marisha Wallace is for the direction that her life has taken – and we are so grateful for the fact that she is now a British citizen! This album is a real treat from start to finish.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️