Michael Feinstein, Christine Ebersole

 

 

By Sandi Durell

 

Reunited and it feels so good…. after nine years, the mishpocheh (says Michael Feinstein) are now happy to be back on the stage of his namesake Feinstein’s/54 Below. Great idea as they take off on a traveling adventure! These two uber talents are so much fun and so playful, not to mention the excitement of their glorious voices.

Together, they are magical . . . blending like hand in glove on harmony lines and in counterpoint to tunes we can’t ever get enough of . . . “Where or When”(Rodgers & Hart)/”I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (Cole Porter). When each is standing front and center, wrapped in the musical genius of Tedd Firth, on piano, Mark McLean on drums and Phil Palombi on bass, they are individually class acts.

 

Christine Ebersole

 

Ms. Ebersole, a two time Tony Award winner, has her own brand of humor in the animated “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” (Harry Warren/Johnny Mercer) and, in a tip of the hat to Eartha Kitt (with a little impersonation), delivers a hysterical “Monotonous” (June Carroll/Arthur Siegel). The song, based on the experiences of Eartha Kitt, and performed originally in her cat-like persona, references Montgomery Clift to Ike to Chang Kai-shek.

Michael Feinstein

 

Mr. Feinstein, sitting at the piano, didn’t miss a beat on Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz’ lyric driven “Rhode Island is Famous for You” . . .(offering up a few new additions to the tried and true) – –

Cotton comes from Louisiana
Gophers from Montana
And spuds from Idaho
They plow land in the cow land of Missouri
Where most beef meant for roast beef seems to grow

Grand canyons come from Colorado
Gold comes from Nevada
Divorces also do
And you, you come from Rhode Island
Little ol’ Rhode Island is famous for you

 

With a nod to Harry Warren, Mr. Feinstein sings a highlight arrangement, multi rhythm version of “Lullaby of Broadway” to be equaled by Ms. Ebersole on a bluesy, segue to up-tempo “42nd Street.”

Together, they are unbeatable in “Two For the Road” (Mancini/Bricusse) thru August 4 at 7 pm. and continuing on August 21 thru September 1.

 

Photos: Maryann Lopinto

 

Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 West 54 Street (cellar) NYC   646 476-3551