All Singin' All Dancin' II
Town Hall, NYC - July 28, 2008
Review by John Kenrick
It's not every day that I tell people to catch an understudy.
However, if you possibly can, catch the revival of South Pacific the
week of September 9th, when Tony winner Paul Szot is on vacation.
Those who do this will get to hear his understudy, one of the last great
baritones of the American stage, William Michaels. Fans of the
Town Hall concert series have come to know his spectacular voice over
the past year, but everyone else is in for a glorious surprise. I
can say this with some certainty because Michaels stopped the second
annual All Singin' All Dancin' concert with his
"unplugged" (as in microphone-free) rendition of "Some
Enchanted Evening." In a performance so carefully polished
that it looked and sounded effortless, he reminded everyone within
earshot that there is nothing to match the effect of a real singing
actor cutting loose with a golden age Broadway ballad. He proved equally
effective with powerhouse renditions of "They Call the Wind
Mariah" and "Where Is the Life That Late I Led?" So
if great singing is your thing, William Michaels is a man to watch for.
All Singin' All Dancin' II is a happy continuation of a
concert series that started last summer, bringing great performances of
the great American songbook to audiences during the lazy, hazy days of
summer. Near capacity crowds have greeted these events with
genuine enthusiasm, proving that New Yorkers do not all disappear
between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Scott Siegel's witty
commentary and lifelong passion for great musical theatre songs give
these concerts an almost intimate, insider's sense of fun. This
time around, Bruce Barnes and Fred Barton shared the
musical director's job with equal passion and style, giving a gifted cast the chance
to really cut loose with some classic showtunes and some first-rate
choreography by Josh Rhodes.
Highlights included Melinda Sullivan and Kendrick Jones
leading a tap-packed "Varsity Drag," Cry Baby's Alli
Mauzey showing off her legit soprano in "I Never Said I Loved
You," Darius DeHaas in a sizzling "Steppin' to the Bad
Side," plus memorable performances by Shonn Wiley, Cady Huffman
and Natasha Williams.
Two years ago, summer was a time for New Yorkers to revisit shows
that had been running all season. Now it is a season packed with
stellar concert productions, and the Town Hall summer Broadway festival
has become a vital treasure. Long may it continue!
Back to Musicals101.com Homepage
Back to Reviews
|