By Wayman Wong
01 Jun 2004
SMOKIN’ JOE’S CAFÉ
Joe’s Pub is one of the hottest clubs in New York, and it’s even hotter when its air conditioning conks out, but Euan Morton also turned up the heat there on May 30. Backed by a rockin’ band, his sizzling sold-out concert opened with Leonard Cohen’s heavenly "Hallelujah." To quote a Cyndi Lauper tune he covered, Morton showed his "True Colors" and belted some Billy Joel ("Just the Way You Are"). But the Taboo-crazed crowd went wild when he sang "Pie in the Sky," which was in the London production, and "Stranger in This World." Morton closed with a singalong of "Sing," the sunny Carpenters tune, which left everyone grinning ear to ear with good cheer. (P.S. He’s joined the June 14 concert of "Broadway Musicals of 1963" at Town Hall; the charming, sweet Scot will sing "Where Is Love?" from Oliver!, which he did as a kid.) For more of Morton, visit www.officiallyeuanmorton.com.
Joe’s Pub also hosted another stellar celebration, "Standing Ovations," on May 23. A salute to BroadwayWorld.com’s first anniversary, this benefit concert for Broadway Cares was hosted by Michael Musto and Scott Nevins, directed by Jamie McGonnigal and musical-directed by Mark Hartman. Among the "Leading Men" highlights were Matt Cavenaugh’s "Making Love Alone," Cheyenne Jackson’s "Joey, Joey, Joey," George Merritt’s "Muddy Water" and Max von Essen’s "Only in New York." But Marc Shaiman almost stole the show with his opening video: a hilarious parody of Internet chat, set to "Pick-a Little, Talk-a-Little" from The Music Man.
WHERE THE GUYS ARE
There’s so much to see in New York: Gavin Creel got to sing a couple of the Bounce-iest tunes in Stephen Sondheim’s latest musical, but he’ll be the keynote composer in an "Uncharted" concert of his own pop/R&B songs on June 13 at 8 and 11 PM at the Ars Nova, 511 W. 54th St. (212-868-4444). Creel, who was a Tony nominee for Thoroughly Modern Millie, will be backed by co-composer David Cook, who’s performed with Aerosmith, JC Chasez and NSYNC. . . . It’s samba time and the livin’ is easy when the jazzy John Pizzarelli brings his Brazilian "Bossa Nova" show (June 8-20) to Feinstein’s at the Regency, 540 Park Ave. (212-339-4095). He’ll be accompanied by his "First Family of Cool" and Daniel Jobim, the grandson of Antonio Carlos Jobim. . . . If Bobby Belfry’s name doesn’t ring a bell, it ought to. He’s a 2004 Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Vocalist, and he’s written crowd-pleasing pop songs with David Budway, David Friedman, Mark Hartman and Steven Ray Watkins. Belfry, who’s being filmed for a documentary, will play June 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 9 PM at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St. (212-255-5438). . . . Marcus Simeone just won the 2004 MAC Award for Male Vocalist, so he’s got plenty to celebrate, including his birthday. The silky-sounding singer will perform June 27 at 4 PM at Danny’s Skylight Room, 346 W. 46th St. (212-263-8133), and his special guests include Tom Andersen, John DePalma and Ruben Flores.
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus presents "Out on Broadway" on June 22 at 8 PM at Avery Fisher Hall (212-721-6500). It’s a celebration of musicals penned by Terrence McNally, who wrote the book when it comes to Tony-winning librettos (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime). It’ll be narrated by Barbra Streisand, as embodied by Steven Brinberg, whose impeccable impersonation nails Babs right down to her last cuticle. . . . And the Storefront Theatre salutes gay pride by bringing back "My Queer Youth" on June 25 at 9 PM at The Duplex. It’s Phil Geoffrey Bond’s heartfelt and funny story about a gay boy discovering divas, dating and himself, accompanied by the songs of Sondheim and Strouse. Bond is a riot reading his own writing, and his cast includes Scott Coulter, Jason Courson, Rick Jensen, Eric Pickering and Ric Ryder. . . . The Storefront is also producing "New Mondays in Concert," starring established and aspiring composers from its songwriters’ series at The Duplex, on June 28 at 8 PM at the Lucille Lortel, 121 Christopher St. (212-239-6200). Among the scores of Broadway and cabaret tunesmiths: Tom Andersen, Bobby Belfry, Michael Holland, Rick Jensen, Tom Jones, Michael John LaChiusa, Galt MacDermot, Peter Mills, Charles Strouse, Joseph Thalken, Mark Waldrop and John Wallowitch.
Until next month, let’s hear it for the "boys"!
Wayman Wong edits entertainment for the New York Daily News. He has been a movie and theater critic for the San Francisco Examiner, a writer for The Sondheim Review and a Drama-Logue Award-winning playwright.
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| Bobby Belfry (left), Euan Morton with Theatre World Award, and David Wienir
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| photo by Bill Westmoreland, Ben Strothmann and Wayman Wong |
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