THE HANGOVER REPORT – NPR’s Ari Shapiro seamlessly and affectingly incorporates his journalism work into his cabaret act BEHIND THE MIC

Ari Shapiro performs “Behind the Mic” at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

Earlier this week, I swung by Feinstein’s/54 Below to catch one of the handful of performances of Behind the Mic, Ari Shapiro’s new solo cabaret act. Mr. Shapiro is perhaps best known as the voice of NPR’s All Things Considered, one of the country’s most listened-to radio programs. What some people don’t realize is that he is also an accomplished singer and performer, often appearing around the globe as a guest singer with the “little orchestra” Pink Martini (he’s also featured in four of the band’s albums).

As a journalist, Mr. Shapiro has covered global headline events (from wars to revolutions) and has pretty much seen the gamut of the human experience. It’s this broad sense of humanity – particularly its resilience in the face of dire challenges – that he brings to Behind the Mic, which sets his show apart from other, more narrowly focused cabaret acts. I was particularly impressed with how seamlessly and affectingly he has incorporated his journalism work into his cabaret show, whether in his banter or his exceptionally well-curated song choices. Invariably, he brings together these stories with grace and intelligence, emphasizing his continued faith in mankind. Some of the musical highlights of the show included a wrenching performance of “Ay Shengal”, as well as a hopeful “Rain/Sun” medley, which concluded the evening on a perfect glass-half-full note.

As a cabaret performer, Mr. Shapiro possesses a polished and appealing stage presence that at times can seem – understandably – a tad detached. On occasion, he lets down his guard, and it’s fun to see the flesh-and-blood man behind the NPR mask. He should do it more often. His singing is more than adequate, and he puts over the songs with conviction. Where he excels, not surprisingly, is his storytelling, which is consistently thoughtful and heartfelt. The evening I attended, special guest Alan Cumming joined Mr. Shapiro in a stirring rendition of “Flower of Scotland” (Mr. Shapiro is also currently touring with the Tony and Olivier Award winner in their cabaret show Och and Oy! A Considered Cabaret).

RECOMMENDED

ARI SHAPIRO: BEHIND THE MIC
Cabaret
Feinstein’s/54 Below
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed

Categories: Cabaret

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