NY Music Review by Sandi Durell
Listen to Hal Linden if you need any reinforcement believing in the old saying ‘life isn’t over until it’s over.’ Mr. Linden opened at the Café Carlyle on Tuesday, May 20th to a packed room showing off his multi-talents and filling the evening with endless inspiration. It seemed like a mini-Broadway revue – no, he ain’t just Barney Miller!
Hal Linden began his career on a bandstand playing sax and clarinet with some of the greats, moved on to theater and got his big break as the understudy when the lead quit and he wound up playing opposite Judy Holliday in his Broadway debut “Bells Are Ringing.” He was soon targeted as the precinct captain Barney Miller on the hit ABC TV series. During that time period (1971) he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in “The Rothschilds.”
A poignant “Hungry Years” (Neil Sedaka, special lyrics Ken & Mitzi) showed off, not only a solid vocal timbre, but lots of pathos leading into an inspiring Best of Times Medley and “I’m Still Here” – special lyrics by Hal Linden – leaving the audience wanting more. And we were rewarded with Aaron Schroeder/David Grazer’s “Late in Life.”
Musical Director: Arthur Azenzer, bass Brian Nelepka, drums Julie Jacobs, keyboard Carolina Calvache, saxophone Lisa Parrott, trumpet Jamie Dauber, trombone Deborah Weisz.
Café Carlyle – 35 East 76 St. (Madison Ave.) 212 744-1600
**Photos/Video: Sandi Durell
Interview: http://theaterpizzazz.com/hal-linden-make-cafe-carlyle-debut