By Matt Smith . . .
Jenn Gambatese has done it again. With a pinch of sass, a dash of decidedly “less polish,” and, of course, a sensible shoe, she’s returned to Midtown hotspot 54 Below to resurrect her R&H repertoire afresh, this time with a satisfyingly sufficient splash of Sondheim, given the recently deceased composer was himself a protégé of Hammerstein.
But while it’s always wonderful to watch her wax poetic on the prolific pair regardless (or dabble in the Disney catalogue while dishing out the juiciest R&H secrets), there’s a markedly significant method to her madness this time around. Banding together with a bunch of Broadway’s brightest, the sparkling soprano sheds a light on the prevalent issues of panic, anxiety, and managing mental health.
Birthed from a phone call with pal Jordan Ballard, in which the two shared their similar experiences with anxiety and panic as performers through the years, the evening peels back the layers concealing each artist, stripping them of their façades, and offering a deeply raw-and-real look at how these afflictions have affected each of them. Utilizing the catalogues of these three magnificent men, Gambatese creates an incredibly unparalleled safe space for artists and audience alike, while guiding us on a rare musical journey across 90 minutes – one rooted in humor, harmony, honesty and authenticity like we’ve never seen from these artists before.
Watching the camaraderie between host, guests, and audience, perhaps one would compare the evening to a coffee klatch, were the presented material not so heavy. But it is exactly this heaviness — and the decision to live in it for the entirety of the concert — that makes the evening so compelling… so interesting… and – as strange as it sounds to say – so enjoyable.
Ballard herself kicks off the evening with a rendition of “I Know Things Now,” a semi-metaphor for the lessons she’s learned post-panic attack, triumphantly coming “out of the woods and into the light” after a 12-year absence from the stage. Later, longtime #bestie Shoshana Bean sings of the “beauty, thrill, hardships, and challenges” that encompass “Being Alive,” noting the importance of having “someone to crowd you with love” when you’re struggling. To that end, Andrew Rannells, who coached Gambatese out of her first onstage panic attack in 1999, stands by once again, reminding us that “with so little to be sure of,” you can always count on the support of a friend.
With the buzzy Company having recently closed, and Into the Woods playing nightly to sold-out crowds and critical acclaim, one might consider the former selections to be overplayed. But in the context of the show, not only are they necessary to the stories of their singers, they help to highlight the timeliness and everlasting relevance of his words, their astonishing ability to be applied to a variety of situations… especially useful in instances like these.
With the Sondheim lyrics steeped in emotional resonance, Gamby uses the R&H catalogue as an antidote to balance out the melancholy. To boot, each tune is injected with orchestral originality, reflecting the idea that individuality should be celebrated. Doubtfire’s Cameron Adams sings an ode to her betrothed with South Pacific’s “A Wonderful Guy,” before joining Jenn to list off “My Favorite Things,” with a jazz-tinged twist. Scene-stealing Joel Waggoner takes a seat at the piano to list “All I Owe Ioway,” complete with scat and original added lyrics. Calvin Cooper, who initially stuns with a self-penned Sondheim spoken word poem, turns “Something Wonderful” on its head with a thought-provoking soft-shoe take on the song. And Jackie Seiden, after moving the room with a tearjerking story of the power of music, effectively pairs a rockin’ “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with the evening’s title tune, fusing mentor with mentee, to, again, reiterate the importance of having someone in your corner.
Of course, (seemingly) never shy, our hostess gets in on the fun, too, with a resolute rendition of “I Have Confidence,” a tender “Take Me to the World” and a bold-and-brazen “There Won’t Be Trumpets” among the highlights. And, as is standard Gamby protocol, no one leaves without the signature audience singalong, sending us off to live – and create – anew.
Though the risk and bravery required to share such personal accounts are indeed acknowledged and respected, it’s refreshing to see actors be this exposed and vulnerable. So often they’re sequestered behind characters; it’s rare that we get to see them crack themselves open… at least, not to this extent, through such a heightened and deeply personal approach. Perhaps it’s even more refreshing – and strangely satisfying – to discover, as audience members that, because these performers have opened themselves up in this way, their struggles align with ours.
As we watch them divulge their brief excursions into solitary depression, openly discussing every coping mechanism from Beta blockers to Bikram yoga, we take comfort in the realization that there are others – even the people who sing with a smile, the ones you’d least expect to wallow – have lived, at times, with that same sense of loneliness… thereby expanding our circle and theirs within the room. It unites us, exemplifying the idea that these actors, while supremely talented and deserving of all their accolades, are “people with problems” just like us. Good or bad, we all equally deal with our “moments in the woods,” celebrating the sunny ones, while stumbling through the struggles just the same.
And in watching these experiences unfold before our eyes, coupled with the acknowledgement of the atmosphere Gambatese has kindly constructed for the evening, we know that, despite our collective grievances and anxieties, while there’s no question it may be hard, we all ultimately possess the courage — and ability — to move on.
And given that, we know we’re not alone.
No One is Alone: Perspectives of Hope from Hammerstein to Sondheim, featuring Jenn Gambatese & Friends, was presented at 54 Below (254 W. 54th Street) on August 8; an additional show, featuring a new round-up of special guests, played the venue August 9. For more information, visit www.54below.com.
Photos: Stephen Mosher
