Constantine Maroulis

Birdland, NYC, March 19, 2018

Reviewed by Marilyn Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Take one patently talented actor-singer, combine with an amazing piano player, and throw in a boldly patterned scarf as a prop, and the result might well be entertainment on steroids. These ingredients were a winning formula for Constantine Maroulis, who demonstrated how minimalism can still produce a big splash on a stage. He is a Tony-nominated Broadway star who also happens to be a rock ‘n’ roller, songwriter, producer, and energy generator.
online pharmacy https://bergenderm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/jpeg/clomid.html no prescription drugstore

He knows how to work a room and a stage, and his fans eat it up with a spoon. The adoration comes from talent and personality: Maroulis is the boy next door in a funky, quaintly charming way. Make that the Greek boy next door. His self-effacing patter often makes reference to his heritage with humor and due pride.

Leading off with two numbers from West Side Story – “Somewhere” and “Maria” – Maroulis began a journey from Broadway through his own compositions (“All About You,” “Blown Away”) to his rock star persona. The performance is well considered, with an excellently paced arc. He is a natural belter, a kind of walking 11 o’clock number, but he knows how to use that big voice and modulates accordingly. He’s also especially adept at phrasing, as impressively evidenced in the challenging story song from Jesus Christ Superstar, “Heaven on Their Minds.” From his splashy American Idol days he reprises “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and then ends the set on a high note of serious rock ‘n’ roll, performing a tour-de-force “Bohemian Rhapsody” (with spontaneous participation from an adoring, pumped-up audience).

Much of the success of Maroulis’ set is owed to pianist Joshua Stephen Kartes, who matched the singer note for note in passion and energy. Kartes’ classical training informed his technique in pop and rock modes, giving his playing a very lush fullness.
online pharmacy https://bergenderm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/jpeg/nolvadex.html no prescription drugstore

He’s one of those artists who can coax a single piano into thinking it’s an entire orchestra.