Steven Zumbo
It’s All About Me (Again, Once More)
Pangea, NYC, December 12, 2025
Reviewed by Bart Greenberg
Steven Zumbo brought his patented combination of humor, charm, and ego to the stage at Pangea. Despite declaring that he hates themes, his show moved easily from topic to topic with some creative pairings of songs, which helped establish a fine rhythm. Of course, he has a fine voice with which to share his chosen tunes (he does love his top notes) and a great partnership with music director and pianist Gerry Dieffenbach.
One of the highlights of the show was a medley of “Gotta Have Me Go With You” (Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin) and “I’m Beginning to See the Light” (Duke Ellington/Don George/Johnny Hodges/Harry James). This was in celebration of his marriage after a 25-year relationship, which made the medley highly moving even as it happily swung along. The rarely performed “Shakespeare Lied” (Elmer Bernstein/Carolyn Leigh) was hysterically delivered, nd “The Music That Makes Me Dance” (Jule Styne/Bob Merrill) was delivered as a spritely waltz that reflected on his parents’ marriage.
This surprising treatment of material was one of the effectively repeated patterns that occurred the show. “We Need a Little Christmas” (Jerry Herman) was given a rather melancholy send-off but became brighter as it continued. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) was transformed into a moving ballad, even as it became a commentary about public displays of affection. Then came a moment devoted to ERFQS (i.e., Equal Rights for Questionable Songs) that led to a riotous delivery of “Y.M.C.A.” (Jacques Morali/Victor Willis) that emphasized its most suggestive lyrics.
More camp fun was found in “Way Ahead of My Time” (Peter Mills), about a highly unusual caveman. He paired that one with a somewhat bitter delivery of “Laughing Matters” (Dick Gallagher/Mark Waldrop), delivered with a nicely judged dramatic build. A mix of “I Happen to Like New York” (Cole Porter) and “Theme from New York, New York” (Kander & Ebb) was an emotional powerhouse, as was the tender encore, “With So Little to Be Sure Of” (Stephen Sondheim). Zumbo certainly scored with this fine mixture of humor and emotion. If it was indeed all about him, it was very worth the time getting to know him.
