Mark William Continues to Amaze

 

 

By Sandi Durell

 

The Green Room 42 was jammed to the rafters with friends, fans and celebrities aplenty on June 7. No matter where you might have been sitting, chances are you were rubbing elbows with anyone from iconic Tony winners Chita Rivera, John Lloyd Young, Cady Huffman, Karen Ziemba, Sergio Trujillo, Robert Horn, Mary Beth Peil to Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams or the Prince of Cabaret Steve Ross (to name a few!)

Having seen Mark William perform now for the third time in his impressive, well received show Come Croon With Me (debuted November 2018), I was ready to sit back and just enjoy this talented young, versatile, triple threat of an old soul Hollywood style performer. But I was quickly shaken into a new reality of how far and quickly Mark has moved forward on his path. It’s like watching a flower bloom before your very eyes!

 

 

Yes, I’d heard many of the songs (“Come Fly With Me” / “I’ve Gotta Be Me”/ “Golden Rainbow”/ “Put on Your Sunday Clothes”), his loving Peter Allen Medley that strengthens his dream (“Just To Get My Name in Lights”/ “All I Wanted Was the Dream”).

Inviting Daniel Dunlow (The Green Room 42 host) on stage to duet in the wry and raucous “You’re Nothing Without Me” was an added pleasure.

 

 

I kid you not when I say Mark William took my breath away with every note and nuance as he proved his muster as a storyteller, not just a singer. The confidence, energy, spark, élan and sheer talent were unmistakable.

The added attraction in this show was his Tony Award Medley – singing the songs from the shows that won in the last several years while audience members played the game to win a pair of tickets to his next new show Mark William: Feeling Good scheduled to debut at The Green Room 42 on November 22, 2019!

Here are the songs . . .can you name the shows they’re from? “Lot of Livin’ to Do” / “Too Darn Hot” / “Whatever Lola Wants” / “Gimme Love” / “Sibella” / “Home” / “What Do I Need With Love” / “ I Am What I Am” — – – did you get them all correct? Sergio Trujillo did!

 

 

Once again, Mark was backed by his remarkable musical director/arranger Clint Edwards and his band of top notch musicians.

After three standing ovations, it was more than obvious that Mark William, on a fast track to stardom, had arrived! “Let Me Be Your Star” – yes Mark, anytime.

 

 

All Photos: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

(unless otherwise noted)

Video: Sandi Durell