He came to Broadway to play Boy George in Taboo, went on to perform in numerous theatre productions including the current season's Cyrano De Bergerac. That's not all. Euan Morton also entertains in cabaret rooms including the Metropolitan Room, Joe's Pub and Birdland. This busy Scottish lad has collected a fistful of awards and is currently appearing at the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room with Here and Now. What does that title mean? Maybe it refers to his selection of songs, bringing his music from different eras and genres right up to the present. Maybe it means something else entirely, but who cares? Euan Morton is simply someone to see and enjoy.

Morton brought a dedicated connection to his audience from the first song, "Pure Imagination" (Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley), inserting its feel of optimism and possibilities.

He added a nod to his Scottish roots with Robert Burns', "“My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” and followed with Noel Coward's intensely romantic, “Matelot.” From this side of the pond, Morton chose, "Someone to Watch Over Me" (George and Ira Gershwin), lingering lovingly over the word, "watch" before adding "over me."

Morton admitted a connection to the songs of Karen Carpenter and rendered, "I Can Dream, Can't I?" reminiscent of Carpenter bittersweet rendition. Bittersweet dove into poignancy with "Smile" (Charlie Chaplin/ John Turner/Geoffrey Parsons) and Stephen Sondheim's "No One Is Alone," both delivered with a mature understanding.

Over the last week, three singers, including k.d. lang and Patti Smith, delivered their own takes on the spiritual/sensual/emotional Leonard Cohen song, "Hallelujah." Morton expressed the song's passion with restraint and taste. His encore was a country tune, "You Got It" by Lynne, Petty, and Orbison, rounding out an evening of an eclectic songbook.

Morton is accompanied by musical director/pianist Bryan Reeder, Calvin Crosby on bass and Will Clark on percussion. A multi-talented young man, Euan Morton has the nuanced vocal tone, musical taste and theatrical versatility to captivate an audience, Here and Now, with both humor and heart.

Euan Morton appears at the Oak Room from March 4 to 29, 2008.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
March 4, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org