54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits
Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, September 22, 2018
Reviewed by Ron Forman for Cabaret Scenes
Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Scott Siegel’s 31st edition of 54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits continued bringing together Broadway and cabaret veterans and a group of talented rising stars to perform some of the very best songs drawn from Broadway musicals. As is his custom, Siegel introduced each number with background information that is both interesting and informative. Music director Ron Abel adjusted his work on piano to the style and sound of each performer and shone in all of his solo opportunities.
Jillian Louis opened the show with a very brassy and dramatic performance, with added humorous touches, of “Cabaret.” Later, her very well-acted “Time Heals Everything” included a marvelous piano solo by Abel.
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Brian Charles Rooney pinch hit at the last minute for the scheduled vocalist for “Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise,” and hit a home run using his operatic voice for a Mario Lanza-type performance. For his two scheduled numbers, he offered a very amusing “You’ll Be Back” (Hamilton) and “Imagine,” sung softly, which made it especially meaningful. The beautiful Maxine Linehan did a heartfelt “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and thrilled with her show-stopping “With One Look.
” On “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife, a show that never made it to Broadway, Lisa Howard’s voice and precise enunciation showed why the song has become a favorite of cabaret performers. Three of Siegel’s rising stars—Emma Kamp, Donwoo Kang, and Will Brockman—made their Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debuts, and each shone with their respective numbers: “Is It Really Me,” “I Have Dreamed,” and “The Song Is You.
” They joined the Broadway By the Year Choir for “Children Will Listen.” Howard ended the show spectacularly with a truly marvelous performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
