54 Celebrates Frank Wildhorn
54 Celebrates Frank Wildhorn
54 Below, NYC, December 6, 2014
Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes
54 Celebrates Frank Wildhorn was a rich sampling of his old and new work. Wildhorn, of course, has written a number of Broadway shows, some successful, like Jekyll & Hyde, and others not so much, like his recent Wonderland. The program’s first number was “Havana” (lyricist: Jack Murphy), a sultry visit to the town where anything goes, sung by Adrienne Warren, Emmy Raver-Lampman and Janet Dacal who all moved sexily to the Latin beat. “It’s No Secret Anymore” was an unequivocal declaration of love by Dacal; her “The Gift” was full of wintery images of frosty windows and snow, while “The Mad Hatter” (from Wonderland, which had starred Dacal as Alice) was a nimble story about a self-assured man performed by Warren and Raver-Lampman. “Where Are You Now?,” about unfulfillable plans, was given a diva belt by Warren.
Leslie Odom, Jr., a very fine performer, gave life to: “I’ll Forget You” (The Scarlet Pimpernel/Nan Knighton), a tender declaration of eternal love; “Once Upon a Dream” (Jekyll & Hyde/Leslie Bricusse), treated to a bossa nova beat; and the lovely, heartbreaking “Sarah” (The Civil War/Jack Murphy).
Frank Wildhorn, often accused of never hearing a crescendo he didn’t like, certainly showed greater range in this concert. He led a wonderful band which included David Mann on woodwinds, Julia Adamy on bass and Clint de Ganon on drums.
Category: Cabaret Reviews
