THE HANGOVER REPORT – BRITTON & THE STING empowers and amps up the crowd, throwing an ecstatic party at Feinstein’s/54 Below

Britton & The Sting perform “Summer of Love” perform at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

Last night – just in time to kick off Pride festivities – Britton & The Sting concluded a two-night stint at Feinstein’s/54 Below with a joyful new show entitled Summer of Love. On Tuesday night, the funk and soul outfit brought the house down with an organic concert that seemed more a rollicking religious experience than your typical night at the cabaret. In short, these guys bring something special to the table, and the beloved theater district cabaret club (which happily just re-opened last Thursday) would be smart to have them return regularly.

Although frontman Britton Smith is no stranger to the Great White Way (having appeared in shows such as Be More Chill, Shuffle Along, and After Midnight), he and his smashing cohorts have concocted a funky, free-wheeling musical aesthetic that sounds more at home at a house party jam session than an upscale cabaret club primarily catering to fans of Broadway musicals. The group also exudes an all-inclusive energy that empowers and amps up the audience, resulting in one ecstatic party. Indeed, it was exciting to see Feinstein’s/54 Below jumping like a boisterous church revival service – a rare and thrilling sight, to be sure.

There’s no doubt that the openly gay Mr. Smith, who is refreshingly frank about his sexuality, is a star. Freed from playing characters in musicals, you can’t help but notice how freely he oozes love and self-acceptance, which of course was infectious. Onstage, he strutted and belted with the thrilling confidence and charisma of a true diva. Aiding him vocally were Amber Iman and Tiffany Mann, who brought their own distinct sense of diva alongside Mr. Smth’s. Together with a sublime band, they conjured an evening that was both uplifting and defiant, enveloping the club with music that seemed a political act of self and collective liberation.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

BRITTON & THE STING: SUMMER OF LOVE
Cabaret / In-person
Feinstein’s/54Below
Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes
Closed

Categories: Cabaret

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