Written by Paulanne Simmons
According to Jeremiah James, he was tricked into show business by his sister, who convinced him to audition for Anything Goes by suggesting his reluctance was based on fear. It was the cheering and applause, however, that got him hooked on performing. If this is true, we all owe James’ sister a big thank-you.
Since his youthful beginnings in musical theater, James has earned acclaim for his performance as Curly in the Broadway/London 1st National Tour of the Trevor Nunn/Cameron Mackintosh revival of Oklahoma!, fame as a member of Teatro, which he calls the “younger brothers” of Il Divo, and the distinction of personally meeting Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England.
James, who is currently playing El Gallo in the off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks, took time off from portraying the 52-year-old narrator to just be himself in his new solo show, “Superman,” recently at the Metropolitan Room.
The show, with musical director Robert Felstein at the piano, is called “Superman” because James has been obsessed with the superhero for a long time. Although he does sing the song “Superman,” James is by no means delusional about his abilities. The show reveals both James’ self-effacing humor (he begins the show by asking, “Who the hell is Jeremiah James?”) and his enormous talent as a leading baritone.
The humor could be seen in songs like “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “My Fortune Is My Face.” His tender and powerful voice took over in Don McLean’s “And I Love You So,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” from Camelot and, of course, “Try To Remember,” from The Fantasticks.
There were a number of songs by James’s good friend, the composer Jonathan Brielle, who was in the audience, raising the stakes for James when he sang “Surrender,” “Watching Over Me” and another song from “Myself and Nora.“
James has a winning mix of pop idol and boy next door that should serve him well in a long career. He may not be Superman, but he sure is good.
Posted by Sandi Durell
on October 8, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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