by: Sandi Durell
If you were at all under the impression that the new hot spot 54 Below was only Cole Porter, Gershwin and Rodgers, you made a big boo boo. For the charming, easygoing Brian d’Arcy James it’s all about who influenced him when he made that monumental decision not to play basketball for the team in high school and instead attend a Billy Joel concert in Michigan where he grew up.
If you recall, James’ Broadway credits you think of him opposite Laura Linney in “Time Stands Still” or that green-faced guy in “Shrek” or more recently as Frank Houston opposite Debra Messing on NBC’s “Smash.”
After opening with Steve Winwood & Will Jennings’ “Take it as it Comes,” his alter ego Billy Joel was released with “Worse Comes to Worst,” “She’s Got a Way” and “Everybody Loves You Now.” His fine baritone-tenor works well for him as he comes up adorable and more adorable the longer he continues and is really into the music. The only missing element was a black T-shirt and black pants instead of a suit.
The chosen 70s & 80s tunes were all about love, loss, relationships, boy meets girl, boy loses girl . . . you know the routine. Together with former co-stars Clarke Thorell and Haven Burton doing backup vocals, and the top notch seven piece band headed by musical director/arranger Dan Lipton, Brian d’Arcy James had a ball offering up his favorite pop tunes including a couple of originals he wrote, i.e. “Good Ground,” featuring a hot guitar solo by Erik Della Penna.
Sister Anne James Noonan happened to be in the audience and after some heart-warming stories about their growing up singing together, she came on stage and a highlight of the evening had them singing the Carly Simon/James Taylor “Mockingbird.”
It didn’t seem corny at the time when James launched into Tom Bahler’s “Julie Do Ya Love Me?” while the audience joined in, but as an after-thought . . . it was.
James did it the way it makes sense. He’s an honest, open performer who took the right advice. Sing what you love and the audience will know it and love you back. He ended with Genesis’ “That’s All,” a very fitting conclusion and a strong point to the show.
The other members of the kick-ass band include Damien Bassman, drums; Greg Joseph, percussion; Nicholas D’Amato, bass; Paul Vercesi, saxophone and Bob Millikan, trumpet. Brian d’Arcy James continues at the beautiful new 54 Below thru June 30th.
Posted by Sandi Durell
on June 29, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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