THE LEADING MEN: The Three B's — Boheme, Bogart and 'Blue's Clues'
By Wayman Wong
Even with all the special guests, "Simple Song" is clearly Bogart's vision. It's his heroic, dramatic delivery of such classics as "Her Face," and his voice, that make this CD stand out. "I didn't want to do an easy-listening album of Irving Berlin," Bogart says. "I went for edgy 11 o'clock numbers, songs that I believe in, like 'Simple Song' [from Leonard Bernstein's Mass]. Stephen Schwartz's lyrics are amazing: 'Sing God a simple song . . . make it up as you go along.' That's what we do in life: create a journey and revel in the wonder of it all."
Another inspiring song on the CD is "New America," which comes from JFK, a new musical by Will Holt. In it, Kennedy sings of his hope for this country. Bogart says, "Even though it was written for a great man in the 1960's, I think it's an anthem for our time."
Ironically, one of the toughest songs to record was the one he's sung over 1,000 times in Miss Saigon: "Why God, Why?" "It's high. There's a reason I did that show when I was young," wisecracks Bogart, who's 31. "A lot of guys lost their voices doing it."
Next, the 6-foot-tall leading man will sing up a storm as Starbuck, the rainmaker, in a new revival of 110 in the Shade, Jan. 21-March 2 at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. Then, he's headed for the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J., to do Camelot (April 2-May 18). It'll co star Brent Barrett as King Arthur and Glory Crampton as Guinevere. No doubt when Bogart plays Lancelot and sings "C'est Moi," he'll be a knight to remember. For info about Bogart, see www.mattbogart.com.
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CABARET TODAY
Justin Daniel is originally from Atlanta, Ga., but he made his New York bow just in time to be one of 2002's most dazzling debuts in cabaret. Only 23, he recently wowed the critics with his pipes, poise and appealing personality. But the sweet-sounding tenor didn't do it by regurgitating Gershwin or repackaging Cole Porter. In his acoustic show called "Quarterlife Crisis," Daniel tongue-in-cheekily sang of the fun and frustrations of being in your twenties, and he did it by using current pop-rock tunes by India: Arie ("Beautiful"), Oasis ("Cast No Shadow") and Ben Folds (the hilarious "Song for the Dumped").
Plus, he found his songwriting soulmate in a fellow Georgian: pop star John Mayer, who's only 25 himself. Daniel gives his own special spin to three of Mayer's terrific tunes from his "Room for Squares" CD: "'83," "Why Georgia" and "My Stupid Mouth." On the last song, Daniel, who's gay, changes the pronoun in the lyrics to indicate that he's on a date with a guy, and not a gal. It's subtle and refreshingly matter-of-fact. He says, "It's cabaret. I feel I can't lie to the audience. Besides, being gay isn't an issue for me. I came out to my parents at 18, and they were so supportive. In fact, my dad asked me about it and said he didn't give a s*** if I was. I was so lucky."
Luckier still, Daniel has a boyfriend who's such a whiz at graphics that he did his flyers, press kit and website (www.justindaniel.com). The internet-savvy singer also says he found a number of songs in his act, such as Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game" and Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock," by surfing the web. Accompanied by Jeff Waxman on piano and Bob Green on guitar, he's bringing back "Quarterlife Crisis" Jan. 6 and 13 to Don't Tell Mama.
Though teenyboppers could mistake the 5-foot-10 performer for a pinup from a boy band, Daniel will be playing for an even younger crowd in February. He's featured in the tour of the hit kiddie show "Blue's Clues" as Slippery Soap. And while that promises to be good, clean fun, Daniel says he can't wait to get back to cabaret: "It's my own creation. I wrote the words. I picked the songs. It's really the best performing experience I've ever had."
VOCAL HEROES
Tom Andersen , "Anyone Can Whistle," Broadway Musicals of 1964 , Town Hall. John Barrowman , "Being Alive," Sondheim Celebration concert, Avery Fisher Hall. Chad Kimball , "Giants in the Sky" (lounge version), Broadway Spotlight , Ars Nova Theater. David Miller , "Che Gelida Manina," La Boheme , Broadway Theatre. Stephen Pasquale , "Streets of Dublin," A Man of No Importance , Mitzi Newhouse. Marcus Simeone , "Some Enchanted Evening," Mostly Standards , The Duplex. Patrick Wilson , "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," Oklahoma! , Gershwin Theatre. Adam Green , "Captain Hook's Waltz," A Party for Adolph Green , Shubert Theatre.
What were your highlights? E-mail me at waymanwong@hotmail.com and we'll feature some of your faves next month.
WHERE THE GUYS ARE Jason Danieley (The Full Monty ) will join his wife, Marin Mazzie (Kiss Me, Kate ), at Joe's Pub and make beautiful music again Jan. 5 and 19 and Feb. 2. . . . Another Full Monty cast member, Sal Viviano , will be a most happy fella appearing Jan. 4-6 at Lyrics & Lyricists' "The Songs of Frank Loesser" at the 92nd Street Y. . . . Jazz singer-saxophonist Curtis Stigers also will put his own spin on standards when he swings into the Algonquin's Oak Room Jan. 14-Feb. 8 with his new CD, "Secret Heart." . . . He'll be followed there on Feb. 11 by 19-year-old whiz kid Peter Cincotti (Our Sinatra), who's also headlining Jan. 11 in the "Cabaret at the Chase" series at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. . . . Johnny Rodgers , another Our Sinatra alumni, will play Jan. 7-11 at The Bar at Fives at the Peninsula New York. . . . Speaking of singer pianists, the legendary Steve Ross has been such a key player at the Rembrandt Room at the Stanhope Park Hyatt New York that he's been extended through Feb. 1. He'll be joined by Peter Howard (Jan. 14 18) and Peter Mintun (Jan. 28-Feb. 1) for two-piano performances. . . . Downtown in the Village, John Epperson will sing and accompany himself in "Show Trash," which recalls the roots of his creation, Lypsinka, Jan. 18, 23, 25 and 30 and Feb. 23 at Upstairs at Rose's Turn. Finally, the madcap Mark Nadler (American Rhapsody ) will open Jan. 6 at the brand-new upstairs Supperclub at the Firebird Restaurant. His show is called "Tchaikowsky and Other Russians," which delightfully deconstructs "Tschaikowsky," the classic Danny Kaye patter song, and that sounds plenty "Godunuv" for us.
Until next month, let's hear it for the "boys"!
Wayman Wong edits entertainment for the New York Daily News. He also has been a movie and theater critic for the San Francisco Examiner and a Drama-Logue Award-winning playwright.
