Malcolm Gets, the versatile and energetic star of who will perform a
solo concert at Birdland on June 13th, has a rather rare distinction
under his belt. "It was my first time on Rosie (O'Donnell)," he elaborates, "when
you could still do anything on her show. I was cutting up backstage,
imitating Cher--next thing I knew, I was entering wearing a wig--which
Rosie did not know about--a few moments later Cher returned to the
stage--which neither of us knew about. Suffice to say, it was a blast,
and was truly me at my most insane!" Gets, the star of The Apple Tree,
Finian's Rainbow, Amour, A New Brain, Hello Again and many other
shows, went on to play piano for Cher on the show. Although the pop
diva will most likely not be in attendance, Gets will also repeat the
ivory-tinkling duties in his cabaret show (along with Larry Yerman),
as well as singing a varied program of songs.
The Birdland show is part of the New Season of concerts with top
Broadway performers and composers; it will benefit the Songbook
Project, of which Gets, a member of its advisory panel, speaks
highly. "It promotes the art of live performance, by taking performers
like myself into the schools, community centers--venues away from the
traditional cabaret rooms of New York--and hopefully find some new
fans of more traditional Standard and Popular Music." Standards and
popular music will be side by side with showtunes and classical in the
concert; Gets will perform songs by everyone from Rodgers and
Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and Charles Strouse to Hoagy Carmichael,
Kenny Loggins and even Frederic Chopin.
"My evening will be very personal," he explains, "examining my own
introduction to music, mostly through my parents' original cast
albums." Gets finds performing solo a very satisfying experience
though completely different from playing a role in a show. "For me,
the most effective cabaret evenings have been some of the most
personal ones, where the performer is comfortable enough to simply be
themselves."
Indeed, he hasn't forgotten about the performing-in-a-show thing, and
he was showered with accolades for his recent triptych of turns in
Encores!' production of The Apple Tree with Kristin Chenoweth, who he
affectionately refers to as "some new girl who should go far." 
In the
concert production, he played Adam (of "and Eve" fame), the exotic Captain Sanjar and the
groovy Flip, and calls the show, "a blast--great material, fantastic
director and an amazing conductor and orchestra." He also speculates
about a transfer. "There are rumors of a limited run next spring in Midtown...we'll see."
Gets will also be reprising his role as the leprechaun Og in the Westport County Playhouse's production of Finian's Rainbow, which
opens on June 16th. Just as he did in the acclaimed Irish Rep
production, he will co-star opposite Melissa Errico. "I've played the
part 4 times now--crazy!" he laughs. He sees some similarities between
himself and Og-- "To ask if I am mischievous is the understatement of
all time. In some ways playing the part just fosters an already too accessible part of me that needs no encouragement. I've slowed down a
little--but not that much!"
