Any number of powerhouse performers are currently or very soon to be found doing their stuff in Manhattan's cabaret venues, from Tovah Feldshuh, Rita Moreno, and Spring Awakening's Lea Michele at Feinstein's at the Regency to Amanda McBroom, Annie Ross, Karen Mason, and Marilyn Maye at the Metropolitan Room. But I'd like to call particular attention to Euan Morton's engagement in the historic Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel, which continues through March 29, 2008.
Euan garnered rave reviews and a Tony nomination, not to mention a Theater World Award, for his amazing performance as Boy George in the failed but largely fabulous Broadway musical, Taboo. (If you missed it, buy or rent the DVD of the documentary, "Show Business: The Road to Broadway," in which he's prominently featured.)
Winner of a 2006 Obie Award for his work in Measure for Pleasure at The Public Theater, Morton has played the title roles in Tony Kushner's adaptation of Brundibár at the New Victory and Berkeley Rep, The Who's Tommy at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, and the New York Musical Theater Festival presentation of Caligula. Euan appeared Off-Broadway opposite Alfred Molina in the Roundabout's Howard Katz, and he had a colorful featured role in the recent Broadway production of Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Kevin Kline.
One of the most expressive and versatile singing actors in the business, Euan offers a wonderfully eclectic program in his show at the Oak Room, which is titled, "Here and Now." Selections range from "Pure Imagination" (Bricusse/Newley, from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory") to such standards as "It's Only a Paper Moon," "You Go to My Head," and "Someone to Watch Over Me," with a little Stephen Sondheim ("No One Is Alone," from Into the Woods) and Leonard Cohen ("Hallelujah") thrown in for good measure. His patter is thoroughly witty and charming, as it has been in his appearances at the aforementioned Metropolitan Room, Joe's Pub, Birdland, the Zipper and other clubs and theaters.
One cavil: Euan does a fantastic job of playing to everyone in the long and narrow Oak Room, sometimes going so far as to walk among the patrons while singing (in the manner of the room's most frequent star, Andrea Marcovicci). But this effort is handily undercut by the fact that the house lights remain off while he's roaming, and he's therefore left in near-complete darkness. I can only hope that this strange, easily fixable problem has been addressed since I attended. No technical weirdness should detract from the talent of this great Scot, who has happily decided to pursue his career on our shores.
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Euan Morton in cabaret and Taboo.
