THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway star SHOSHANA BEAN brings fervent fire to her debut concert at Carnegie Hall

Shoshana Bean performs at Carnegie Hall (photo by Chris Lee).

Earlier this week, popular Broadway star Shoshana Bean made her highly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut as a headliner. Known for originating major roles in such recent shows as Hell’s Kitchen and Mr. Saturday Night (she also appeared in subsequent casts of the hit musicals Wicked and Waitress), Bean also has a considerable following as a personality and singer offstage — both of which manifested themselves in the eclectic audience that showed up in droves on Monday night to cheer her on. As a singer, she’s perhaps best known for her fervent song stylings, which are typically garnished by ecstatic riffing. And when she unleashes her voice in its full power, Bean also distinguishes herself as a Broadway belter of the old school variety.

For her maiden set at the iconic music hall, Bean put together a wonderfully eclectic set, which she energetically performed straight through sans intermission. Her selections from the popular songbook showcased her feisty personality and distinct qualities as a singer — defiance in The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satsfaction”, soulfulness in Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools”, and passion in Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart”. For the show tunes portion of the evening, she tapped into the ouvre of Jason Robert Brown (singing a heartfelt “Stars and the Moon”, accompanied by Brown himself on keys), of course Stephen Sondheim (putting her own spin on “Finishing the Hat” and “Being Alive”), and her good friend Sara Bareilles (“She Used to Be Mine”, enough said). Speaking of Bareilles, the beloved singer-songwriter made an appearance to accompany Bean to perform an aching rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”. Then she launched into a handful of deeply personal songs from her new album — which was released this week — topping the closing segment off with a forceful performance of her own single “Hard Woman to Love”. After a striking costume change into a regal white gown, she concluded the evening gently with Frank Sinatra’s “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)”.

Despite my familiarity with much of the evening’s song choices, the fascinating arrangements by music director and drummer Steve Jordan had me leaning forward to listen to them anew, as did Bean’s emotive and visceral vocal delivery. Suffice to say, she was in wonderful voice throughout her demanding set. Indeed, Bean has long had the unique ability to personalize songs (perhaps due to her comfort performing in front of audiences from extensive touring) which resulted in a concert that felt intimate despite a large band — complete with string and brass sections — and three terrific backup singers. In between songs, the banter by the immensely charismatic yet open-hearted star was invariably upbeat, spontaneous, and gracious.

RECOMMENDED

SHOSHANA BEAN IN CONCERT
Concert
Carnegie Hall
1 hour, 45 minutes (without an intermission)
One night only

Categories: Music, Other Music

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