Storm Large to present comic cabaret
BY YANNA LANTZ
Sun Valley Center for the Arts will hold two cabaret performances featuring the talents of Storm Large. A singer/songwriter, actor, playwright and author, Large will perform at the Sun Valley Opera House on Friday, Sept. 28, with shows at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
“Storm Large is simply one of the best performers I’ve ever seen,” said Kristine Bretall, director of Performing Arts at The Center. “Her joy in performing is mixed with an honesty that takes audiences by surprise. I’ve seen her at least five times in concert, and she carries a crowd with her like a tidal wave. She’s sexy, powerful and takes no prisoners. She will love you, leave you and delight you with a wicked charm and stunning vocals that will have you begging for more.”
Large weaves together a cabaret show combining love songs and stories. She has sung in a wide variety of settings and with a large array of people, including pianist Kirill Gerstein, punk rocker John Doe, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, funk legend George Clinton and the BBC Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestras.
“Not for the faint of heart, Storm Large brings her full six feet of raw energy to the stage and might just make you a little nervous, but you’ll like it,” Bretall said. “We ourselves thought, ‘Is Sun Valley ready for Storm?’ We know you are, but just to be sure, The Center will present two shows, both recommended only for those 17 and older, but the earlier one will be tamer and the late show will be Storm unleashed. Find a babysitter now—this is an event for grownups who want to have fun (you might even want to get dressed up), get loose and let their hair down.”
The performer’s most recent album, “Le Bonheur,” runs the gamut of songwriters and styles. Songs by Cole Porter live alongside those by Tom Waits, Black Sabbath, Randy Newman and Jacques Brel, as well as a few originals.
“These are songs that I’ve always loved,” Large said. “These are songs that are—in my imagination—wonderful love songs, and they’re also love songs that have given me a lot of pleasure in a very lonely life. I became a musician pretty much because I was such a lonely person. And happiness is finding the thing that I can do that creates joy, not only for myself, but makes other people happy.”
One of Large’s career highlights was being invited to join Pink Martini in 2011.
“I had to learn 10 songs in five languages four days before singing at a sold-out Kennedy Center,” she said. “I was told I did a great job, but I don’t remember, because it was literally sheer horror and panic the whole time. But they say I did well, and they kept me in the band, so I guess I did okay.”
Storm Large’s cabaret performances contain adult content and strong language. The 6 p.m. show, deemed the “Early Show,” is rated PG-13. The “Late Show” at 9 p.m. will hold nothing back and is recommended for ages 17 and up. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available online at sunvalleycenter.org or by phone at (208) 726-9491.