Steve Ross and Jim Brochu: Two Guys and a Grand
Steve Ross and Jim Brochu
Two Guys and a Grand
Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC, May 26, 2016
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Put two of today’s best cabaret performers, who have been friends and performing at parties together for decades, on stage together and you have a prescription for an evening of great and lively entertainment. In their show Two Guys and a Grand, Steve Ross and Jim Brochu joined forces for as fun-filled an evening of cabaret as I have experienced in quite some time. Both sing delightfully, and their verbal interplay was always smart, sassy and very laugh-out-loud funny. On stage the pair appeared to be having as much fun working together as those of us in the audience have watching them.
After the appropriate opening number “Pack Up Your Sins (and Go to the Devil),” they pointed out that Ross’ soft voice is reminiscent of Fred Astaire’s, while Brochu’s bold and brassy sound is Ethel Merman-esque. The duo performed a medley of songs that Astaire and Merman had done on television’s Hollywood Palace. They met when Ross began accompanying Brochu on piano. Ross’s work on piano is still magical, as was displayed in his performance of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”
They relived those early days with Brochu performing a song Abe Burrows had written for him, “I’ll Bet You’re Sorry, Tokyo Rose.” He was hilariously funny recounting the experience of his initiation to the Players Club. Memories of their nights at the long-gone Painted Pony led to a medley of Noël Coward songs that included a sing-along of “Saturday Night at the Rose and Crown.” More hilarity followed with their performance of “Class” from Chicago. The closing number, “Call Me Back” from the Broadway musical Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, was preceded by amusing stories about Stan Freeman, who wrote its score with Franklin Underwood. The encore, “Go Visit Your Grandmother” from 70, Girls, 70, brought tears of laughter to my eyes.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews, Regional
