Last week’s Meow Meow show at the Lobero Theatre was an unexpected journey into a world of sequins, satire, and song. Going in, there were no clear expectations, but the performance quickly unfolded into a unique and thoroughly entertaining experience, leaving the audience captivated and charmed. Meow Meow, with her grand entrance in a dazzling sequined gown – repeated for extra applause and rose petals – immediately set a tone of delightful eccentricity. The show began with a surprising choice, Laurie Anderson’s “The Dream Before,” with its darkly humorous lyrics, transitioning seamlessly into a collection of beautifully rendered torch songs from the Weimar Republic, many sung in their original German.
Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures as Sequins and Satire, Divas and Disruptors: The Wild Women of the Weimar Republic, Meow Meow’s postmodern cabaret was a brilliant blend of highbrow and lowbrow entertainment. The performance was a delightful balance, appealing to both intellectual and comedic sensibilities. Her chanteuse style was constantly punctuated with moments of broad comedy. This included inviting an audience member onstage for a spontaneous kick line, creating DIY smoke effects with a child’s toy, and being spun around Lazy Susan-style by a crew member while flawlessly embodying the spirit of Marlene Dietrich and Lotte Lenya. These comedic interludes were expertly woven between numbers from the Weimar repertoire, creating a truly dynamic and engaging show.
Meow Meow captivating the audience at the Lobero Theatre with a Weimar Republic inspired performance.
Meow Meow, whose real name is Melissa Madden Gray and hails from Australia, demonstrated impeccable German pronunciation throughout her performance, highlighting the timeless relevance of the Weimar songs. Backed by a talented trio – Isaac Hayward on piano, David Berger on percussion, and Dan Witton on bass – she skillfully presented songs from iconic composers like Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, and Mischa Spoliansky. Her performance wasn’t just about the music; it was a commentary, blending bawdy humor with poignant reflections on contemporary global issues, drawing unsettling parallels to the Weimar era.
Adding another layer of surprise, Meow Meow prepared the audience for a very slow stage dive, quipping with playful irreverence about potential wardrobe malfunctions. This led into a crowd-surfing adventure, before she gracefully returned to the stage, wardrobe intact, to deliver a moving rendition of Patty Griffin’s “Be Careful.” Continuing her engagement with the audience, Meow Meow then led them Pied Piper-style out of the theater for a post-show CD signing and meet and greet.
Meow Meow’s performance is a testament to her rare talent, seamlessly combining vocal prowess, comedic timing, and intellectual depth. She is truly a unique artist, offering an unforgettable cabaret experience that resonates long after the curtain falls and solidifying the “Meow Meow Song” experience as something truly special.
