‘Charles Kirsch’s Backstage Babble Live!’

By Alix Cohen

On winter vacation from Harvard, Charles Kirsch returns to 54Below with 15 Broadway notables, most interviewed on his inimitable podcast. Once again, selections are wide, many unexpected. The host is gracious.

Anna Antonelli, owner of the skating rink going financially under, was not among Natascia Diaz’s leading roles. Clearly, it might have been. John Kander/Fred Ebb’s heroine (The Rink) comes to life with her rendition of “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.” Strong, clear alto is edgy, phrasing character specific.

Gerard Alessandrini sings a medley from his venerable, 44 year-old creation Forbidden Broadway, adding anecdotes about celebrities who came to check out their musical skewering. Lyrics like “I strain in vain to train Madonna’s brain” and “…But your head is so shiny/I keep thinking that’s your heinie” (Yul Brynner) resonate.

With a tale of going on sick and cracking “the money notes”, Adam Grupper shows not only what he might’ve delivered but talent he retains in spades with “Funny” from City of Angels (Cy Coleman/David Zippel). This is an actor (with a voice.) The song bites.

In Michael Lavine’s opinion, The Moony Shapiro Songbook (Monty Norman/ Julian More) is one of those musicals that closed before its time. Original cast member, Annie McGreevey, “ello!”, offers a British music hall performance conscripting audience into repeating its title/chorus “Bumpity Bump!” She’s infectiously likeable.

In tribute to Betty Comden/Adolph Green, Mark Kudisch sings an amalgam of “Just in Time” and “I Met a Girl” (Bells are Ringing.) “They built the ship!” he repeatedly declares as if from a podium. Commandeering the stage, the artist unceasingly strides, sways, and gestures.

Danielle Ferland recalls the stressful tech of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. “People passed out in their corsets.” Mandy Patinkin mooned the cast to allay tension. As Marie, she sang and tonight sings, “Children and Art”, suddenly young, ingenuous, appealing.

Dick Scanlan amusingly regales us with a story of participation in the groundbreaking 1986 musical Pageant (Albert Evans/Bill Russell/ Frank Kelly) in which female beauty contestants were played by men and of a solution to costumes having been stolen from a dinner theater in Orlando, Florida.

From Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, Annie Golden offers “Unworthy of Your Love” in duet with Will Roland- she as Squeaky Fromme, he as John Hinckley Jr.. She shares the story of how the song was written for her. Performance is so touching we forget both characters attempted murder.

With “Larger Than Life”, Evan Pappas inhabits Benjy Stone of Lynn Ahrens/ Stephen Flaherty’s My Favorite Year. “Uncle Morty used to send me to the movies/’Here’s a nickel kid, cheer up and go.’/And though I was only seven,I discovered heaven/at the R.K.O.” He’s palpably thrilled.

Elena Shaddow and Michael Lavine play Claudia Nardi and Vito Contini with “Unusual Way” from Maury Yeston’s Nine. Her gorgeous, pithy soprano exhibits eloquent control and embraces feeling. Lavine’s mossy vocal (these keep getting better) grounds.

Aided and abetted by his trusty oboe, Jason Graae gives us “The Man I Used to Be” (Pipe Dream– Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II). Graae drolly sets up the song, then performs in inimitable, delightful manner. The artist has perfected what we might call classy schmaltz. And he sings well!

Penny Fuller, who has played Desiree Armfeldt, shares a beautifully understated “Send in The Clowns” (A Little Night Music- Stephen Sondheim) Rueful, almost self-lacerating, and quiet, the actress personifies essence.

The evening closes with a duet of John Kander/Fred Ebb’s “Nowadays” (Chicago) by Stephanie Pope and Mamie Duncan-Gibbs who directed a 50th anniversary tribute of the show. Costumed in sequins and tights, breathy and seductive, the pair execute a little choreography between “wah-wahs.” An elegant way to finish.

The evening ran smoothy. As always, Michael Lavine adjusted to every vocalist with symbiotic panache.

Photos by Maryann Lopinto

Charles Kirsch’s Backstage Babble Live!
Charles Kirsch: Producer/Host
Michael Lavine: MD/Piano/Vocals
54Below 254 West 54th Street https://54below.org/