Through an eclectic mix of world music, Hayes tells of her journey from Los Angeles to Wroclaw, the world center of avant-garde theatre, in search of an artistic home.  How did this girl from just outside Hollywood get the idea to work in Poland during the Communist era?  She weaves the story of the lunatics, lovers and poets she meets along the way through a mosaic of amusing and thought-provoking songs from the great poets of rock, blues, musical theatre and
pop music

:  including the Beach Boys, Kurt Weill, Stephen Sondheim, Astor Piazzolla and Leonard Cohen.   Songs in English. 

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Press Reaction

Marjorie Hayes in Taking Chances

Bistro Awards Review

By Roy Sander

“Taking Chances” The Duplex, NYC – July 18, 20, 2010

“In her recent engagement at The Duplex, actress/singer Marjorie Hayes proved herself to be an artist of considerable depth and subtlety, with a voice capable of giving color to a wide range of life’s experiences….

“Hayes’s theatrical acumen was evident throughout the evening. (She has an impressive body of international theatre accomplishments to her credit.) Her connection with her material was organic, and her presentation was assured, confident, and never dramatically or emotionally overstated. Her artistry had a cumulative impact, so perhaps only at the end of the evening was one fully aware of the richness of her artistic palette and the control with which she employed it……

“She delivered a distinctive and distinguished rendition of “Bill” …in a sense it was straightforward, but running through it was a stream of heartfelt sentiment that gave the piece a warm glow. It was an object lesson in how a singer can put his stamp on a song without resorting to gimmicks or eccentric arrangements. This was only the second rendition of “Bill” that I can recall that achieved what I refer to as the “aaah! quality.”

She did superb work with two songs by Leonard Cohen. “Blue Alert” is an extraordinary piece that uses military combat as a metaphor for the effect a woman can have on a man. I’d say that her performance was understated, but, it would be more accurate to say that it was beautifully stated. Her rendition of “Hallelujah” was quite possibly the best I’ve ever heard; it was certainly the most emotionally textured and one of the very few in which I thought the singer had a clue what the song is about. “…….

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Cabaret Scenes  by Rob Lester

“…she reeled me in and I was hooked……

“Miss Hayes truly shines with theatrical songs that let her fully inhabit specific characters. Billy Elliot’s “Grandma’s Song,” complete with appropriate accent, was thus a major winner. Another accent (Russian, and broad like the humor of the song) was employed for “Vodka.” Cheers!

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VIDEO CLIPS from Taking Chances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxMvPxIyhNw

Yale Cabaret Performance of song from Billy Elliot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxHFW3e0mz8

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Out of the Loop Festival, Watertower Theatre, Dallas, Texas, 2011

Theatre Jones review, “an enchanting performance.” “ Hayes takes the audience on a fascinating journey, telling insightful, self-reflective stories punctuated by aptly illustrative songs. And though this version of cabaret is a far cry from the origins of the form, it’s an alternative method of performance worthy of inspection and in capable hands with Ms. Hayes.”

The Column review, “ A Cabaret with Marjorie Hayes has that same dreamy quality of those clubs where people dress up and the singer croons songs straight from their heart. Marjorie Hayes is one of those singers. Her journey back to music is told in her songs, after a life and a long list of credits that has taken her across Europe and the U.S. with theatre, into films and back here again to sing songs from her heart. Her songs tell of her working class beginnings, of her loves and heart-aches but, most of all, of her spirit to always take chances.”

Dallas Morning News review,  Marjorie Hayes’ Taking Chances is more than the sum of its parts – namely 15 songs by such contrasting pairs as James Taylor and William Finn , George Gershwin and Leonard Cohen . …Strong story songs …bring out the best in Hayes. She attacks the more raucous numbers like “Grandma’s Song” from Billy Elliot with a wide vibrato that might remind you of Edith Piaf.

Alexandra Bonifield, Criticalrant.com wrote: “A personal tour in musical metaphor of the mystical map of the heart….”

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Song Stories From Home

Non-Stop Festival, Wroclaw, Poland, 2007

“5 stars out of 5”