Cabaret Review by Cooper Lawrence and Sheila Watko . . .
Another great Joe Iconis & Family show is in the books at 54 Below. It was—once again—the coolest party in town with the coolest group of Broadway theater kids we all wish we could be a part of. And for a few hours, we were.
Started in 2007, Iconis (Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter) has created one of the most innovative musical theater concert scenes – one which became, arguably, the most popular and prolific series of shows 54 Below has to offer. The latest iteration, which ran last week from July 30 – August 3, was intriguingly subtitled the “Meditations in an Emergency Tour.”
Joe Iconis & Family is its own beast. A mix of songs from his musicals, random songs Iconis has written, and some of his standalones are performed by an enormous cast. No less than twelve performers are regularly on stage—and with special guests, it can be an even larger group. The audience leaves having had a fully satisfying concert experience.
One of the more unique features is you never know who will show up to join series regulars like Be More Chill stars Lauren Marcus, George Salazar, and Jason SweetTooth Williams. In this latest iteration, the cast of about twenty performers was joined by Annie Golden (Broadway Bounty Hunter, The Full Monty) and Ali Louis Bourzgui (Tommy).
Iconis has the rare talent of creating a relatable narrative in a handful of songs that are hard not to strongly connect to. His opening number—a standalone about the frustrations of being an artist and a creative in a world where musical theater has become incredibly corporatized—reveals his vulnerability and personal struggles, emotions we all go through while wondering if we should quit. His conclusion was more optimistic, with the realization that his art has value to us, revealed in the chorus, “What did I do to deserve you?”
The use of the entire space at 54 Below drives home the idea that the talent on stage are one of us. They are part of our experience, empathetic, and responsive. Several numbers saw cast members suddenly appear behind us, then just as quickly disperse amongst the audience.
At one point, Lauren Marcus was standing by the bar lamenting the ennui she felt, possibly postpartum after the birth of her and Iconis’ first child, she suggests. “Do you want to sing about it?” he asked. “I do,” she answered, then delivered a spectacularly haunting version of “B-Side: Jezebel” (Love in Hate Nation). Marcus was joined by the ever so talented Sara Al-Bazali, Amirah Joy Lomax, and Devon Meddock, strong female voices forcefully dropping the heavy lyrics, “So now I write this suicide letter. Beg society to treat girls like me better.”
The evening was filled with memorable performances like Jeremy Morse’s hilarious interpretation of “Andy’s Song,” a number Iconis tells us he was asked to write for a potential musical version of The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The song was presented to director Judd Apatow who, we learn, immediately rejected it.
Toward the end of the evening, composer/author Lance Rubin (Denton Little’s Deathdate) took the stage to lead the crowd and cast in a rousing performance of “Amphibian” (Joe Iconis, “ALBUM”), which captured the humor, absurdity and joy that Iconis is known for.
While the entire night felt like your favorite pop star playing your favorite hits, a true highlight of the night (based on the audience’s over-the-top reaction) were the two beautiful numbers George Salazar treated us to.
First, an incredibly animated, “Song of the Brown Buffalo” from Iconis’ new “The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical.” Salazar’s impeccable brilliance, his natural physical comedy skills and flawless voice filled the room as he crooned, “I’m the trouble you’ve been looking for!” Indeed.
Salazar closed the show (as is tradition) with the heartbreakingly honest and bittersweet standalone, “The Goodbye Song.” Salazar is true magic. The entire room vibrates when he’s on stage. As the song built, the cast made their way up to join him and soon we were pummeled with all 15+ performers allowing us to give in to the moment as they sang, “And when you look to the night skies. Don’t think of goodbyes. Think how I’m right here ever, ever, ever.” Good luck not shedding a tear or two.
Iconis’ shows are about found family. They’re for the misfits and the most clever ones, at that. They stoke in us a fire compelling us to leave 54 Below wanting to be creative, do better, put something out in the world, and express all the feelings he and his “family” have just inspired.
A Joe Iconis & Family show patches you up and makes you feel like you could do anything.
Joe Iconis & Family took place July 30 through August 3, 2024, at 54 Below (254 West 54th, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). www.54Below.org Check back here or at www.MrJoeIconis.com for future shows.
Photos: Cooper Lawrence
