author: Steven Stanley
It’s a sign of the times that one of New York’s most up-and-coming talents is a tall, dark, and handsome young man who sings Lola’s “A Little Brains, A Little Talent” from Damn Yankees, Scott Alan’s “Now” (a message left on the answering machine of an ex-boyfriend, Brian), and Songs From An Unmade Bed’s “He Never Did That Before” (about a boyfriend who “never did that before”…in bed). This on-the-verge-of-stardom young performer with the guts to be himself (and sing about it) has the talent to take him a long way indeed.
Jonathan Whitton’s debut CD, “Live At The Laurie Beachman Theatre,” is a great showcase for Whitton’s clear, expressive tenor—a performance that has already won him the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Debut, the 2008 MAC Award for Best NYC Debut, and a 2008 MAC nomination for Best Recording.
There are far too many highlights on this 21-song CD to mention all of them, but some of the most memorable tracks include John Bucchino’s exquisite, wistful story-song “Sweet Dreams,” the rousing “And They’re Off” from A New Brain (a show Whitton has starred in), and for a bit of nostalgia, Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.” There’s also a Merrily We Roll Along mini-medley of “Good Thing Going” and “Not A Day Goes By,” and one of Aherns and Flaherty’s best songs ever, “The Streets Of Dublin” from A Man Of No Importance (a show Whitton has directed—talk about multi-talented!).
There are no big orchestrations here; none are needed. Just Whitton and pianist Tamra Stephenson making memorable music together.
An extra treat is the between-song chatter that reveals Whitton’s ingratiating charm and sense of humor. His tale of auditioning for a show “requiring nudity” is especially funny (and sets the imagination spinning).
It gets a WOW! from StageSceneLA and an invitation to Whitton to give the West Coast a whirl one of these days.
Steven Stanley
Editor, StageSceneLA.com
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perfect finite
author: wade warren
"live at the laurie beechman theatre" is a a fantastic debut from an artist with much to say...From "watching the show" to "let him fly", it's a perfect listen..Equal parts hope and despair, this record is among the best I've heard recently,and it only makes me want to hear what he's gonna do next!
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