Billy Lykken: Sacred Monster

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Billy Lykken

Sacred Monster

Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, April 22, 2016

Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Billy-Lyken-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212It’s called ELECTRICITY! Palpably thrilling discovery and Event Status filled Don’t Tell Mama’s showroom. So did a packed-to-the-gills crowd. It happens at this volcanically victorious level VERY rarely in a reviewer’s experience, despite many, many shows seen each year.

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An exultant communal sense of knowing we’d be saying, “I was there that night it happened” was evident. Almost like mythological magic, a one-of-a-kind fascinating creature suddenly appeared fully formed… or, in show biz lingo, a star was born! Adopting the persona of a fictitious, deliciously daring darling (and devilishly delightful), decked-out/dressed-to-kill diva/divo drenched in androgyny, entrenched in Vegas-i-fied glitz and ego, Billy Lykken was boldly in command of his tightrope walk debut. Extreme, glittery eye make-up only emphasized his striking features. The conceit of the act is that we are all in Caesars Palace with this “legend” playing to an adoring public, revisiting ossified record hits (an all-Japanese LP of yore, Shirley Bassey-esque over-the-top-showstoppers, and a spoof of a ’50s pop hit with best-punned song title of the year—no spoiler here)…. even the ultimate self-congratulatory anthem “My Way.” What super-fun to be in on the superstar superiority pretense.

Versatile Musical Director/foil  Yasuhiko Fukuoka played along, in both senses of the term. A splashy title song by savvy director and offstage partner Rick Skye (who trods these boards regularly with panache as Liza Minnelli) was impressive. The crowd roared with every swirl and winking rib-tickler. By show’s end, the guy who offstage is sweetly unassuming and last year shyly told me he wanted to make such a plunge, morphed into himself, flush with excitement and gratitude for the rapturous reception so well deserved. Jason Ellis’ many light cues were handled with exceptional flair and Lykken lit up the room for sure. What happens in Vegas, STAYS…at D.T.M. (He’ll be back this fall.)

Rob Lester

2015 is native New Yorker Rob Lester's eighth year as contributing writer, beginning by reviewing a salute to Frank Sinatra, whose recordings have played on his personal soundtrack since the womb. (His Cabaret Scenes Foundation member mom started him with her favorite; like his dad, he became an uber-avid record collector/ fan of the Great American Songbook's great singers and writers.) Soon, he was attending shows, seeking out up-and-comers and already-came-ups, still reading and listening voraciously. He also writes for www.NiteLifeExchange.com and www.TalkinBroadway.com, has been cabaret-centric as awards judge, panel member/co-host, and produces benefit/tribute shows, including one for us.