NonCOMM Recap: Nancy and Beth bring comedy and choreography to the Free at Noon stage

The duo of Nancy and Beth were the first act to hit the World Cafe Live stage on day two of NonCOMM, celebrating their debut self-titled LP with a set of comedy-filled, choreography-enhanced songs that ranged from Chicago-esque sultry blues to nearly Vaudville slapstick.

You’ll recognize the performers – Will & Grace’s Megan Mullally as Nancy and actress/author Stephanie Hunt as Beth. The pair met in Texas in 2011 and have honed an act of comedic relief and truly beautiful vocals over the last few years. They opened with the somewhat euphemistic number “Fine Brown Frame” before changing tones for the elementary school playground patty-cake choreography of “Everybody Loves a Lover,” a 1958 Doris Day hit.

Mullally emphasized the “showbizziness” of the act, and there were certainly some Bob Fosse-influenced dance steps – they punctuated a rendition of Irving Berlin’s “My Walking Stick,” which also featured guest vocals by Petra Haden. Putting gimmicks to the side for a moment, we heard a moving gospel number that showcased Mullally and Hunt’s natural harmony pairing. But true to form they ended on a laugh, bringing out comedian Nick Offerman for a drum cameo during “Saved.”

Nancy & Beth will be back in town as headliners for Philly Pride on June 18th.

Setlist
Fine Brown Frame
Everybody Loves a Lover
My Walking Stick
(gospel)
Please Mr. Jailer
Saved