Robbie Rozelle
The Next One
Birdland, NYC, November 29, 2021
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
What can one say about a cabaret show that may very well get sued by both Mary Testa and Patti LuPone? What can one say about a cabaret show where the star requests that his in-attendance mother stop being served (with much laughter)? What can one say about a program where the male diva pays musical tributes to Elphaba, Epinine, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland? What can one say about a performance where the audience is having a hilarious time by ad-libbing right along with the host and, on occasion, toping his laugh? It must mean that Robbie Rozelle is back in town.
And at a new venue yet. He made much of the fact that his distinctly non-jazz style was a definite misfit for the most jazz-oriented of supper clubs, Birdland. And yet he quickly established his right to perform there with his immense charm and musical style. Kicking off his show with the almost cliché opening number “It’s Today,” he revitalized it with the warmth in his voice and his genuine-seeming invitation to the fun. However, he did explain that one of Jerry Herman’s lyrics didn’t quite fit as it had been his (Rozelle’s) 45th birthday on the previous Saturday and, since it was a national-holiday weekend, the special day was also celebrated on the following Monday.
Rozelle constantly surprises—from a funky arrangement of “Everybody Says Don’t” to a surprisingly touching delivery of Joe Raposo’s “When Bert’s Not Around.” He also surprises in his singing; Rozelle has some issues with his voice, but it doesn’t stop him from delivering the top notes in a strongly felt “Meadowlark” (Stephen Schwartz) and a very moving “I Was Here!” (Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens). He also offered up a brand-new song by his bassist Wes Bourland—“My Own Fairy Tale,” a fresh approach to merging fantasy and reality to find a happy ending. It was an excellent showcase for both performer and songwriter.
Two guest stars added luster to the evening. The very handsome Mauricio Martinez brought along his major vocal talents to a Harold Arlen duet medley, including “Stormy Weather” (lyrics by Ted Kohler) and “The Man That Got Away” (lyrics by Ira Gershwin), that overflowed with excitement. The hysterical Jonathan Hoover provided a dead-on imitation of Patti LuPone—both physically and vocally—for a rendition of “Move On” that Rozelle deserved plaudits for getting though without breaking up while joining in. Another medley served as a solo show of the star of the evening; a tribute to Mary Testa, demonstrating the wide range of roles that she has played and that he aspires to.
Great support was provided by the on-stage band, The Two Drink Minimums, led by music director/arranger Yasuhiko Fukuoka. Along with Bourland, drummer Mike Lunoe, violinist Johnny Wise, cellist Samuel Quiggins, and reed player David Ashton all joined in the fun. After enjoying the delightful evening, one can only wonder what the One After This One will include.
