The event title was “The Music of Broadway,” but it could easily have been called something like “New York City Cabaret Comes to Tucson,” straight out of the incomparable Café Carlyle in New York. That’s what it really was, and it’s unfortunate that the University’s Centennial Hall was less than two-thirds full Saturday night, because what was on offer was both extraordinary and rare. I can’t imagine that this particular configuration will ever again grace another Tucson (or any other city’s) stage. The trio of artists – Marin Mazzie, Cheyenne Jackson and Christine Ebersole – transformed the familiar space into an intimate, dynamic venue for polished and thoroughly professional, charming, – and in some cases, sexy -- entertainment of the highest order. And their accompanists could not have been any better, enhancing each and every note, commanding attention in their own right.
What the audience really thought of it all is a mystery. Oh yes, they applauded dutifully, but the majority could be heard murmuring “Who are these people?” Many of the songs that were performed were downright unknown, from esoteric shows or by obscure composers.
Marin Mazzie has a long and illustrious career in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, as well as television, symphony halls and concert venues. Her voice can only be likened to some kind of rich, warm, velvety chocolate sauce pouring out and enveloping the listener in a sensuous delight of perfect notes and lyrical expression. Her song choices included a mixture of the recognizable and the new, and she vocalized them flawlessly and with great emotion. “Please don’t stop singing” was in the minds, I’m sure, of every listener.
But then Mr. Cheyenne Jackson bounced his gorgeous self onstage and proceeded to seduce every man and woman in the crowd with a combination of charm, lovely supple notes, terrific versatility and humor. Although his resume is that of a relative novice compared to Mazzie and Ebersole, he doubtless persuaded everyone that he has an illustrious future doing whatever the hell he wants – sing, act, dance, just stand there and look fantastic – his song choices were somewhat less daring but nonetheless beyond enjoyable. He can sing low, mid-range or in a perfect head voice, each note crystal clear, emoting all the while in a variety of guises, with sincerity and joy.
The performing career of multiple Tony-Award winner Christine Ebersole stretches through more than three decades, and the list of her accomplishments is staggering, including Broadway and Off Broadway, Hollywood – both TV and movies, concert appearances galore and recording. Her cabaret act positions her as one who perfectly fits in with the likes of Earth Kitt, Bobby Short, Betty Carter or any of dozens of other legends, and she came to Tucson fresh off a three-month stint at the Carlyle, effortlessly keeping up a practiced mixture of disarming chatter and melodious vocalizing. Backed up by an adept band of four consummate jazz musicians, she exuded enthusiasm and skill, belting and whispering as the song demanded and proving that her reputation is well deserved.
UA Presents does a great job of attempting to educate Tucson audiences about the larger world beyond the provinces, and we can only hope that eventually those generally timid ticket buyers will take it upon themselves to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the new, the untried, the unfamiliar and the unexpected. At least the initially bewildered listeners went away with a fresh understanding that will serve to inform their future appreciation of a hitherto unexplored musical genre.
