Cabaret Review by Ron Fassler . . .
I’ve never had the pleasure until the other night at 54 Below of seeing Cheyenne Jackson onstage. Well aware of his talents, and having seen him in such films as United 93 and on television in 30 Rock and Call Me Kat, I certainly knew what a great singer he is in addition to being a lovely actor. I mean, I’ve heard him, trust me. Just due to timing, I missed his performances in such musicals as All Shook Up, Xanadu, Damn Yankees and Finian’s Rainbow. How is that possible? At any rate, for the eighty minutes or so that he spent crooning and belting was as fine an introduction as I could have hoped. Not only were his choice in songs eclectic, but they also all were virtuoso turns. The sound that comes out of this guy . . . he’s really something special.
Opening with Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “Stand By Me,” Jackson conveyed an effortless style matched by a sincerity that he manages to not make treacly by venturing into the sarcastic from time to time. Each song received an introduction that put his choice of material in perspective. Early on, it seemed as if he enjoyed telling stories more than performing his songs. Funnily enough, he later quoted the great Barbara Cook who, after seeing his set, told him, “Talk less, sing more.” Obviously, he hasn’t taken her advice. And I don’t think anyone left the show complaining he didn’t sing enough We were treated to a dozen songs, one dueted with Broadway’s Abby Mueller (Six). Accompanied by just a piano made for simplicity itself with musical director Paul Staroba a warm presence and a delight to watch and listen to all evening.
Quiet contemplations were embodied in songs like David Yazbek’s “Breeze off the River” from The Full Monty and “Lay Me Down,” a Sam Smith specialty (co-written with Elvin Smith and James Napier). His voice on the latter was especially smooth as was his rendition of Consuelo Velázquez and Sunny Skylar’s Bésame Mucho,” which was truly beautiful. You can hear it for yourself on his 2016 CD “Renaissance.” But for maximum emotional impact, the best song of the evening was one Jackson wrote himself. Titled “O.K.,” it’s a father-son song that autobiographically packs a wallop.
Jackson shared personal stories all evening long but managed to steer clear of oversharing or sounding preachy. Calling the show “Signs of Life,” he’s more interested in looking to the future than drudging up things about his past. However, there is much to be mined for growing up so poor that his family had no running water in the house. Or, as his mother carefully reminds and corrects, him, “Only for five years.” Perhaps his personal philosophy was best displayed with Jason Robert Brown’s “Hope” which was his penultimate song of the night.
When life is crazy and impossible to bear –
It must be there.
Fear never wins.
That’s what I hope.
See? I said “hope.”
The work begins.
One last thing to mention is that after each song, Jackson took a deep bow as if it were his curtain call. I liked that. It felt as if he was paying homage to the song and to the audience. It felt all-enveloping. Much like the actor-singer himself, he takes things in and gives back generously. His six-night engagement at 54 Below runs through Friday September 29th. It’s well worth a visit.
Cheyenne Jackson: “Signs of Life” is at 54 Below, 254 W. 54th Street, NYC. For further information, please visit www.54Below.com.
Photos by Stephen Sorokoff.
