Brent Barrett performs his show Life Is – The Songs of Kander and Ebb at the Crazy Coqs, London
Brent Barrett performs his show Life Is – The Songs of Kander and Ebb at the Crazy Coqs, London until 24 January.
Broadway star Brent Barrett returns to this highly successful cabaret venue where he made his triumphant debut a year ago. This time he presents the London premiere of his new show that celebrates a 50-year partnership during which John Kander provided the music and Fred Ebb the lyrics for 15 musicals.
The show has evolved from a CD made back in 1999, and has now expanded with more numbers and the chance to hear stories about the singer’s involvement with the two gentlemen. The show also provides a dazzling overview of the songwriters’ prolific body of work.
Kander and Ebb have never been afraid to base their musicals on dark subjects and turn them into great theatrical entertainment – the rise of Nazism in Cabaret; political and gay imprisonment in South America – Kiss of the Spider Woman; Chicago’s murder and corruption; and the true story of nine black teenagers accused of rape in Alabama in 1931 – The Scottsboro Boys. All these shows are represented in Barrett’s choice of numbers. Musical director and pianist, Christopher Denny, gets the chance to show off his skills in the bluesy ‘All That Jazz’.
Barrett is no stranger to the West End stage. In 2002 he received an Olivier nomination for his performance as Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate. His long experience in musical theatre is evident in his delivery – the songs are not merely sung, they are given a performance either full of drama and passion or are tenderly expressed with true feeling.
He has a wide ranging voice that is distinctly his. It can be full of power, yet never overloud, and when it softens there is a sweet tenderness. There are times when the voice takes on a touch of falsetto and one is reminded of Mandy Patinkin – but disciplined and without the self indulgence.
While familiar musicals are acknowledged, it is hearing numbers from the lesser known and less successful ones that perhaps provide the greatest pleasure. There is a delightful medley from The Happy Times – a show that Barrett would love to see revived and with himself in it. From Woman of the Year, there is a beautiful version of ’Sometimes a Day Goes By’.
Bringing the Kander and Ebb canon up-to-date, he sings ‘You, You, You’ and ‘Love and Love Alone’ from The Visit which is shortly to premiere on Broadway starring Chita Rivera.
For the finale, Barrett provides a medley of city songs that ends with a rip-snorting version of perhaps Kander and Ebb’s best-known composition, ‘New York, New York’, after which he calms the mood with the exquisite ‘A Quiet Thing’.
Barrie Jerram
Readers may also be interested in:
Peter Straker – Crazy Coqs – Review
Tim Flavin – Reflections of a Song and Dance Man – Crazy Coqs – Review
Kander and Ebb’s The Visit finally makes it to Broadway – News
The Scottsboro Boys – Garrick Theatre – Review
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