BWW Reviews: JASON ALEXANDER with THE BPO at KLEINHAN'S MUSIC HALL

MANIC SITCOM SONG AND DANCE MAN TAKES THE STAGE

A mix of borscht-belt comedy and Broadway showtunes, with a hint of neurotic sitcom hyperactivity. That's what an Evening with Jason Alexander with the BPO was like last night. Alexander is best known as the sidekick to Jerry Seinfeld in the famed 90's TV hit SEINFELD. But prior to this he was establishing himself as a Broadway actor, even earning the TONY Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY in 1989.

The evening started out appropriately with the BPO in fine form, playing selections from great Broadway composers, to set the tone of the concert. Gershwin's GIRL CRAZY overture is a natural fit for the BPO, having recorded it years ago under the baton of then Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas. That CD of Gershwin Overtures is still print today, and I highly suggest you seek it out. Full of lush melodies, muted horns and solo piano, you were immediately taken back to the musical theatre stages of the 1930's. Richard Rodgers' "March of the Siamese Children" from THE KING AND I began softly and understated and built to a pompous finale. Meanwhile selections from Jule Styne, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin completed the first half, led by Associate Conductor, Stefan Sanders.

But this large audience was here to see Alexander, although many seemed to be hoping to get a glimpse of George Constanza (his role on SEINFELD). Basically in this one man show, Alexander's self deprecating humor led us through the story of his musical life, growing up a short, overweight Jewish boy in New Jersey. His musical tastes were modeled after his older sister's love for showtunes and his clothes were modeled after those sold in the "husky" childrens department. His childhood trips back and forth to New York to take in Broadway shows were to model his life and ultimately his career.

Alexander appeared to be pushing for audience adulation and acted a bit hyperactive in his opening moments. Even the notoriously difficult patter song "Trouble" from THE MUSIC MAN was sung at a such a fast clip, the words often were unintelligible. After a brief foray in his desire to be a rock star, where he sang an uncomfortable tribute to Billy Joel's music with vocalist Carrie Schroeder, Mr. Alexander began to settle into the evening describing his first love-- the American musical theatre. He has a pleasing enough singing voice, and when he sang a medley of songs from his first Broadway show, the ill fated Sondheim musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, he finally hit his stride. The poignant "Not a Day Goes By" allowed Alexander to simply stand and sing, which he did quite well.

He was at his best in the classic Kander and Ebb song, "Ring Them Bells." Employing 7 audience members, Alexander had the audience in stitches as he choreographed the number while singing. His exasperation at the end was right out of a SEINFELD episode, and I think half of the audience got what they had come for- well orchestrated silliness. The full Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied Mr. Alexander, with his musical director Todd Schroeder at the piano.

Hot off of his SEINFELD career, Mr. Alexander felt he would be perfect for the meatiest of Broadway roles. Unfortunately Broadway producers didn't share this sentiment. So in a breathless, and quite hysterical finale, he sang all of his desired roles, with accompanying props and hats, including Valjean, The Phantom, Funny Girl, Evita, and Don Quixote, to name but a few. The appreciative audience got their funny man back, doing what he does best--entertaining through comedy and song.

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