Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret Roundup: JOSIE DE GUZMAN makes a welcome return to the New York stage and SETH SIKES thrillingly channels Barbra Streisand

• By drediman
• September 13, 2023
• No Comments

This past weekend, I had the chance to take in a pair of cabaret performances. Here are my thoughts on these nightlife outings, both of which were vibrantly performed and warmly received.

JOSIE DE GUZMAN: BACK WHERE I STARTED
The Green Room 42

First up was Josie de Guzman performing “Back Where I Started” (RECOMMENDED) at The Green Room 42 (note that the venue has been newly refurbished to address some of its previous sightline issues). Ms. de Guzman’s two performances last weekend marked the first time the musical theater actress – perhaps best known for starring as Maria in the 1980 revival of West Side Story and Sarah Brown in the 1992 revival of Guys & Dolls, both on Broadway – has stepped foot on a New York stage since largely casting her focus elsewhere (mainly the Alley Theatre in Houston). It was a welcome return. Although her sturdy soprano has lost a bit of its luster in the interim years, Ms. de Guzman’s show was especially notable for its priceless anecdotes about her time in the Broadway spotlight, not only with regards to the acclaimed aforementioned revivals, but also to misfires like Nick & Nora and Carmelina. Suffice to say, her song selections beautifully reflected her career on the New York stage (e.g., “Something’s Coming”, “If I Were a Bell”). Throughout, she was elegantly directed by Gerard Alessandrini (of Forbidden Broadway fame) and supported ably by music director Larry Yurman and her band.

SETH SIKES SINGS BARBRA STREISAND
54 Below

Then over at 54 Below for one night only, I had the opportunity to attend Seth Sikes’s brand new show in homage to of one of our indisputable icons, the singular Barbra Streisand. Simply entitled “Seth Sikes Sings Barbra Streisand” (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), the show hit all the right notes as a tribute to “Babs”, as well as a vehicle for Sikes’s soaring and distinctive vocal stylings, irrepressibly boyish charms, and easy stage presence. Backed by a massive band – at least for 54 Below standards – complete with both horn and string sections (!), the entire affair was superbly produced and sounded downright sumptuous, harkening back to the days of the big band era. As music directed by Phil Reno, the evening was heavy on expertly conceived medleys, most of which smartly incorporated many of Streisand’s biggest hits. Unsurprisingly, the evening was capped by a thrilling rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, which lifted the audience to its feet. The show included two special guest appearances – a pair of smooth duets with Sikes’s regular performing partner Nicolas King and an amusing “story time” session the great Austin Pendleton, who co-starred with Streisand in the 1972 flick What’s Up, Doc?