Written by: Sandi Durell
“Someday my Prince will come,” sings Graae as Prince returns the compliment with “look at that face . . . spread Jason all over the place.” This charming old friends duo, hailing back to school days at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, has that special something that only people who know one another for a long time exhibit. There’s a comfort and an ease as these two impeccable talents foray into the world of cabaret together. There’s also some special parodied material like “You and Me But Mostly Me” (Book of Mormon – Parker/Stone & Prince/Graae) and no doubt they’re having a great time on the intimate stage at New York’s hot spot, 54 Below.
As they banter back and forth with each other, the chemistry is overflowing with exuberance. They’re having too good a time! And so is the audience as Jason baits musical director Alex Rybeck, giving him tips to help make him “Popular,” (Schwartz) even having a cell phone conversation with Kristen Chenoweth (no, not for real). Graae is an adorable impish bundle of mustached fun, (the mustache left over from his recent role as Omar in Disney’s “Aladdin” at St. Louis Muny), with a twinkle in his eye that makes one wonder if he’s serious or not. But we see that he can be quite sobering; a fine singer who brings his polished acting skills and heart to “What More Can I Say?” (Falsettos – William Finn) in which he played the role of Mendel on Broadway.
Prince, looking very chic in short black dress, tights, boots and bow in her hair, had an especially good time playing up to Mary Rodgers, sitting ringside, who wrote the music (Sondheim, lyrics) to ‘The Boy From” (Tacarembo la Tume del Fuego Santa Malipas Zatatecas la Junta del sol y cruz . . .) which was delivered with flawless timing, her right- on facial expressions priceless. Prince gave a decidedly truthful, powerful and inebriated rendition of Sondheim’s “Ladies Who Lunch,” preceded by a story about Elaine Stritch coming backstage to visit. Let us not forget Faith Prince is also a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winner as Adelaide in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls.
Part of Graae’s triple threat performance charisma is the inclusion of his clarinet which he played on the duet with Prince singing “Smile.” Songwriters Kooman & Dimond’s controversial “To Excess” brought the house down with its edgy lyrics, about a stalker/voyeur looking in on a gal named Claire. Graae was just “guilty of loving to excess!”
It seems their plutonic flame was ignited because of Jerry Herman, the evening including a tribute with a Mini-Mash-Up Medley (a mish mash of songs) and a more serious “If He Walked Into My Life,” giving Prince the opportunity to belt those big soaring notes; while Graae, relating his story about coming out to his Mom one night at dinner, punctuated with conviction “I Am What I Am.”
These two pros know the meaning of pleasing an audience, how to get the most out of a song and provide an evening of top entertainment. Not to be missed! The show is directed by Dan Foster.
Enjoying opening night were Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi.
The Prince and the Show Boy continue at 54 Below thru August 25th, 8:30 pm in addition to late shows Aug. 24 & 25 at 11:00 p.m. 866 468-7619
Video by Magda Katz with interview from Suzanna Bowling
Posted by Sandi Durell
on August 22, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT,Interviews with Magda.
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