By Ron Fassler . . .
He’s back, darlings!
It’s been almost exactly a year since I last saw Isaac Mizrahi perform on the 54 Below stage. A cabaret entertainer, sure, but Mizrahi is certainly more famous as a fashion designer and perennial presence in the world of the arts. An uninhibited, no-holds-barred born storyteller, Mizrahi knows his audience and delivers onstage with exuberance and wit to spare. This time around, he doesn’t break any new ground but sometimes it’s nice to spend time with an old friend who spins yarns so well you don’t mind if you’ve heard them before.
He packed the house for his four-night run last week and dazzled without breaking a sweat. Well, that’s not actually true. He sweats profusely, but it’s not from over-exertion or trying too hard (he’s just someone who sweats more than most). Of course, he’s got a joke or two about it, as he seemingly does about every conceivable subject.
For the uninitiated, Isaac Mizrahi is a force to be reckoned with. As a prominent celebrity for more than thirty years, he’s a whirlwind of creativity having written three books; starred in and co-created “Unzipped,” an award-winning documentary about the making of his 1994 Fall collection; served as judge on the reality TV series “Project Runway” for seven seasons; directed operas and musicals, including appearing on Broadway in Chicago and costume designing the 2002 Broadway revival of The Women; and created the hit podcast, “Hello Isaac.” That he’s a fine singer as well, with an excellent taste in songs, shouldn’t come as too much of a shock.
His longtime musical director, Ben Walter, aided in crafting an eclectic song stack that allowed Mizrahi to be funny, self-reflective, manic, absurd, caustic, sardonic and heartfelt. Backed superbly by Neal Miner (bass) and John Strasser (drums), his obvious affection for this trio was palpable. And though he pulled off each and every song he offered, it’s Mizrahi’s patter that folks come for. And no one leaves disappointed. Examples? Here you go:
On the pills he takes regularly: “Drugs work, they just do. They get such a bad rap. They’re so relevant.”
On progeny: “Children are the dogs of straight people.”
On etiquette: When the house lights went up randomly, Mizrahi shouted down the person on the board with a booming “No house lights, please! This is NOT an audience participation show.”
Opening with “I Believe in You,” Frank Loesser’s anthem of self-importance, set the tone for some of the self-absorption that followed. But, later in the show, he sublimely serenaded Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” And a running thread over pronouns and his confusion of he/him, she/her and they, finally concluded by his demanding to be called “Liza.” Appropriately, he finished the night singing John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “Liza with a Z,” which has to be heard to be believed.
One special highlight was when he called attention to a large shopping bag placed under the Steinway piano. It turned out to be gifts Mizrahi had gotten recently (“People send me so much stuff”), all of which he was ready and willing to re-gift to members of the audience. Whoever shouted out fast enough were the winners of such items as a leisure suit, a record album (“I don’t have a turntable anymore, darlings”) and a box of condoms. That one went to my sister who—let’s hope—uses them wisely and in good health.
It’s always a pleasure to be in the company of someone with the capacity for true giving (even if it’s in the form of regifting). Isaac Mizrahi is a national treasure. See him next time he’s performing his brand of unique song styling and exquisite comic talents at a boîte near you.
Isaac Mizrahi appeared August 3-6 at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street, between Eighth Avenue and Broadway). www.54below.org
Photos: Ron Fassler
