There's just something about Cy Coleman's music. Maybe it's the jazz that permeates every note and syncopated beat. Maybe it's the pure emotion that effortlessly connects character to song. Whatever it is, it made Coleman one of the most beloved theatre composers of the second half of the 20th century, and his unexpected 2004 death left a gaping hole in Broadways firmament.
Fortunately, Jeff Harnar, who has earned his name in the cabaret community with elegant retrospectives of legends from the golden years, has created the first concert dedicated to the Coleman songbook since Coleman's death. The concert, A Collective Cy, not only highlights the many notable numbers of Mr. Coleman's career, but may well be one of the smoothest cabaret shows in recent memory.
And if anyone is up to the task of displaying Coleman's greatest work, it's Harnar. Blessed with a voice that out-Sinatras Sinatra, Harnar can croon ballads or patter through uptempo numbers with ease. His casual-yet-refined demeanor is perfect for Feinstein's at the Regency (where, incidentally, Coleman gave his final performance before his death), warmly exuding class while warmly welcoming the audience along for the ride. He evokes the old-fashioned nightclubs in which Coleman's music would frequently be heard. The anecdotes he tells between the songs, however, provide new insights on Coleman and his lengthy career, and let us more fully appreciate the songs.
The song list features many of Coleman's standards, from Sweet Charity to Barnum to City of Angels. While dedicated to preserving the original lyrics of the songs, Harnar was able to get new lyrics to some numbers either by the original lyricist (David Zippel) or Kleban-award winner Barry Kleinborn. The results, endearing new versions of "You're Nothing Without Me/I'm Nothing Without You" and "My Personal Property," respectively, are fresh and funny, and are a gentle reminder of the timelessness of Coleman's music. A cut number from Barnum ("So Little Time") is getting its premiere, and at the opening night, a number from Pamela's First Musical, a new show Coleman was working on with Wendy Wasserstein before his death, was presented for the first time. And one of the few songs with lyrics by Coleman ("Somebody") gets a stirring and emotional rendition from Harnar.
The show's band, which Harnar has dubbed "The Rhythm of Life Quartet" (yes, they do the song) gets to swing out with plenty of jazz, from the hippie-inspired beats of Sweet Charity to the bluesy big-band sound of City of Angels. Musical director pianist Alex Rybeck and bassist Jay Leonhart do double duty from behind their instruments as back-up singers, allowing for some great harmonizing and counterpoints. Ray Marchica keeps a steady rhythm on drums, and Dan Willis' sax and flute work adds wonderful color to the songs. Sara Louise Lazarus' direction is bright and energetic, making the evening into a true celebration of a fantastic career.
Many of Coleman's songs, as Harnar points out early in the evening, focused on love in all its many splendored forms. While A Collective Cy will certainly appeal to theatre and jazz fans, the pure romance (not to mention sensuality) of many of the songs can appeal to just about everyone. The combination of The Regency's swankiness, Harnar's sweet voice, and Coleman's rich music may just make this concert one of the more romantic events in the city. Make a date now.
A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar sings Cy Coleman plays Sunday and Monday nights through November 20th at Feinstein's at the Regency, 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. Upcoming guests include Karen Ziemba, Liz Callaway, Lee Roy Reams, and Andrea Marcovicci.
