Sam Gravitte
Songs That Raised Me
Live at the Orinda Concert Series
Orinda Theatre, Orinda, CA, January 29, 2023
Reviewed by Steve Murray
Wicked star Sam Gravitte grew up with a soundtrack provided by his Broadway parents, Beau Gravitte and Tony Award-winner Debbie Gravitte. For his West Coast cabaret debut, Songs That Raised Me, Sam lent his sweet tenor to an eclectic setlist that included, of course, some Broadway chestnuts along with a few originals.
The Cy Coleman/Joseph McCarthy tune, “Why Try and Change Me Now,” originally sung by Sinatra, showed that Gravitte can dip into the Great American Songbook and give it a contemporary sound. Backed by pianist Emily Whitaker and jazz guitarist Ravi Campbell, he strapped on an acoustic guitar to add another element to the mix on an original piece titled “Ties That Bind,” which illustrated that this guy is much more than a pretty face.
It’s not often you hear an Appalachian folk tune, but “Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies,” recorded by the Chieftains, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez, was lovely and thoughtful. From his role as Wicked’s Fiyero came “Dancing Through Life” about living the “unexamined” life. Gravitte leans towards the high end of the tenor range which stretches his voice, but he never cracks. Two Sondheim numbers showed off his Broadway capabilities: “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George and his encore of “No One Is Alone” from Into the Woods.
My favorite offering was composer Jake Landau’s “The Coin Toss,” a four-part song cycle that Gravitte premiered at NYC’s Birdland. A coin flip is to decide whether or not to text an ex-lover, but the coin spirals up impossibly high into the sky and doesn’t come back down. It’s a very modern, hip musical number that’s exciting, complex, and innovative. It’s a showpiece for Gravitte and makes the best use of his vocal and acting skills.
Achieving success so early at such a young age can be a double-edged sword. It’s great for the ego and the pocketbook, but what happens when the competition and lack of roles becomes an issue? Gravitte has the talent to find those opportunities and the moxie to stay current and relevant.
Next up at the Orinda: America’s Got Talent finalist and Pink Martini vocalist Jimmie Herrod, February 19th.