Stacy Sullivan
A Night at the Troubadour: Presenting Elton John & David Ackles
Metropolitan Room, NYC, August 5, 2016
Reviewed by Marilyn Lester for Cabaret Scenes
Stacy Sullivan—recording artist, actress, performer—can add a glittering and daring new page to her playbook, one with well-deserved accolades, for the peerless A Night at the Troubadour: Presenting Elton John & David Ackles. It’s a show that’s intensely personal, its authenticity underscoring the fascinating material unspooled in story and song. With “Your Song” (Bernie Taupin/John) intertwined with “Be My Friend” (Ackles), the journey of August 25, 1970 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles begins. Singer-songwriter David Ackles was the opening act for the fairly unknown Elton John, who was, from that date forward, propelled into international stardom. Concurrently, Ackles receded, ceasing to record shortly thereafter. Ackles, little known in his own country, was a huge star in Britain (John couldn’t believe Ackles was opening for him!) with hits such as “Down River,” “Subway to the Country” and “Laissez-Faire,” all sung by Sullivan with formidable emotional range. She knew Ackles during the last years of his life and hadn’t a clue that he’d once had a career the likes of which influenced not only John, but other rock luminaries such as Phil Collins and Elvis Costello.
A Night at the Troubadour is an exquisitely crafted show. With director Mark Nadler (who knows a thing or three about putting great shows together), Sullivan has created a small theatrical event with a huge impact. With consummate acting skills and a voice like fine port wine, she enchantingly weaves story and song. A trademark of Sullivan’s is the intelligent pairing of musical numbers with creative arrangements, such as “Your Face, Your Smile” (Ackles) with “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (Taupin/John), and “Love’s Enough” (Ackles) with “Your Song” (Taupin/John). With “Rocket Man” (Taupin/John) and “Road to Cairo” (Ackles) Sullivan rocked out, leaving no doubt that she can successfully get to a place that’s vocally forceful, visceral and fearless.
The third component of this singular show is Musical Director/pianist Yasuhiko Fukuoka, whose playing was nothing short of magical. His classical training underpinned innovative arrangements and the remarkable music of Ackles with soaring lushness. Fukuoka played with an animation, vitality and trueness that was in complete sync with Sullivan’s interpretations and own unity with the music. Hats off to Sullivan for bringing attention to Ackles, whose songs, such as “American Gothic,” “Midnight Carousel,” “House Above the Strand” and “Postcards” are treasures that deserve widespread attention.