Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Let me entertain you: New and familiar faces at Feinstein’s/54 Below

• By drediman
• September 21, 2021
• No Comments

One of the main reasons I frequent Feinstein’s/54 Below so often is because of its wonderfully eclectic nightly programming, which has given me the opportunity to enjoy established performers, as well as expose myself to new talent – all in a classy and intimate environment. Here are my thoughts on last week’s diverse lineup at the Theater District cabaret club.

Last week’s headliner was arguably Broadway power couple Andy Karl and Orfeh (they’ve appeared on Broadway together in Saturday Night Fever, Legally Blonde, and Pretty Woman), who returned to the supper club with a refreshed version of their crowd-pleasing show Legally Bound (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). With his matinee idol good looks and her sass and big voice, they had absolutely no problem seducing the audience as they powered through a set comprised of well known pop/rock songs. Another familiar performer – at least to musical theater fans – to play Feinstein’s/54 Below last week was Amy Spanger, who is making a comeback of sorts with her cabaret act Amy Spanger Sings Her Face Off (RECOMMENDED). The Broadway veteran – who has appeared in such diverse shows as Chicago, Rock of Ages, and Kiss Me, Kate – looked great and delivered a show that was more introspective than I was expecting from the brassy-voiced diva. Definitely not introspective, however, was Ms. Spanger’s fabulous recreation (with Chicago alum Lana Gordon) of Bob Fosse’s “Hot Honey Rag” choreography on the club’s tiny stage.

Then there were the new faces (at least for me). The striking highlight of the bunch was Amy Jo Jackson, whose cabaret act The Brass Menagerie (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) is pure genius. In the show, Ms. Jackson inhabits – through inspired musical theater parody – Tennessee Williams’ larger-than-life female characters. As a performer, she’s a force of nature and a talent to keep an eye on. Also last week, I caught Zurin Villanueva, a young musical theater actress who has appeared in Mean Girls and The Lion King on Broadway, in her Feinstein’s/54 Below debut in a show entitled Little Love Note (RECOMMENDED). As you might expect, the show’s theme is the various stages of love, which the charismatic, big-voiced singer manifested through the Broadway and popular songbook. Lastly, I also saw the multi-talented Edmund Bagnell perform his show Happy Days Are Here Again (RECOMMENDED). Mr. Bagnell is best known as the “front man” of the singing string quartet Well Strung. As a solo performer, he was a delight throughout his feel good set, exuding an effortless old school charm not unlike a young Michael Feinstein.