This is one for the theatre nerds among us. Adam Guettel, the grandson of Richard Rodgers, performing intimate and live in concert.
Guettel may not be a household name, but he is quite successful in his own right, having won two Tony Awards and great acclaim for his two shows, The Light in the Piazza and his earlier work, Floyd Collins.
It is his ability to transport the audience to a different place that makes Guettel’s show one to see. His stories are varied and rich in character. His music is layered and often plaintive. Guettel’s husky tones are rich and warm, and his ability to inhabit his characters is really what transports the audience.
From his heart-wrenching lovelorn ballads from ‘The Light in the Piazza’ to the bluegrass feel of ‘Floyd Collins,’ his music covers a wide spectrum.
The show, simply titled Adam Guettel in Concert, covers his back catalogue and as a treat, some songs from upcoming projects such as his musicalisation of the film Days of Wine and Roses and another project he is working on – another musical adaptation of a film, the beautiful story from the Danny Boyle film, Millions.
The evening is divided into sections, with selections from each of his projects, complete with anecdotes, personal stories and fascinating insights. The concert is bookended by two of his tracks from his solo album, Myths and Hymns, and finishes with the beautiful 11 o’clock number from Floyd Collins, ‘How Glory Goes’, in which the stunning sound design is used to great effect once more with ‘Floyd’s’ voice echoing around the cave he is trapped in, as he is slowly passing away from this world to the next. This and ‘St Who’ from the afforementioned Millions are two of the most moving moments of the proceedings.
Guettel is ably supported by his fiance, Hailey Bond, who uses her beautiful voice to great effect, particularly in her duet from Piazza, where their chemistry is palpable. Her solo number, ‘Through the Mountain’ from Floyd Collins is also beautiful.
Pianist/collaborator Kim Grigsby more than ably supports Guettel, tinkling the ivories. His underscoring is complicated and beautiful, and Grigsby ensures not a note is missed.
The chance to meet Guettel after the concert is a lovely moment for the fans, of which he has many. A true ‘theatre nerd’ moment!
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Adam Guettel in Concert
Chapel off Chapel
29 June
Melbourne Cabaret Festival
melbournecabaret.com
26 June – 7 July
