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Review: Married Broadway Stars Jarrod Spector & Kelli Barrett Rock the Roof Off Feinstein's/54 Below with Celebration of MUSIC's GREATEST MARRIAGES
By: Alix Cohen Oct. 22, 2015
The first thought one has when powerhouse performers Jarrod Spector and Kelli Barrett unleash their voices is that they should be married. Style, control, and range are unusually balanced for a duet show; the artists feel palpably simpatico. They even look like a "set." In fact, still flush with romance, Spector and Barrett are coming up on their first anniversary.
Invited to sing at a salute to lifelong collaborators and mates, songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the newlyweds cried as they watched 90-year-old Alan serenade his 87-year-old wife. "That night we talked about another married couple, (songwriters) Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill, and wondered why some couples make it and others don't." (Mann and Weil have been collaborators and spouses 54 years. Spector played Mann in the Carole King musical Beautiful.)
This clever idea for an evening of song opened Tuesday night for a four-show run at Feinstein's/54 Below. Directed by Eric Michael Gillett, This Is Dedicated: Music's Greatest Marriages spotlights writing and performing couples, some still married, others divorced. In fact, the terrific, well-integrated opening "Divorce Medley" consists of six rousing, '60s pop songs written by five now-divorced couples.
Spector's body is never still, he bounces when his foot isn't tapping. Barrett seems to vibrate. There isn't a single gratuitous gesture. Both artists move as if the music were passing through them. Both crinkle their noses, furrow their brows, close they eyes. Each steps away to join backup singers Rachel Stern & Christopher Brasfield when the other takes the lead. The section is fluid and infectiously upbeat. Spector and Barrett appealingly play with one another.
"All of these couples started in the same place we did asking the question: What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life? (Alan & Marilyn Bergman)" Barrett sits on a stool showcasing vocal flexibility with sincere pop inflection ("Is" arrives in four syllables), eschewed for her starring role as Lara in last season's ill-fated musical Dr. Zhivago (The actress was excellent).
There are songs by Mann & Weil, Carole King & Gerry Goffin, Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich, Burt Bachrach & Carol Bayer Sager . . . Performing duos include, in part, James Taylor & Carly Simon, Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Paul & Linda McCartney, Beyonce & Jay-Z . . . We hear rock, pop, R & B, and country. "There are 18 couples featured, nine made it, nine didn't."
Repartee is warm and teasing. A conversation about women shooting to stardom after their divorces has Barrett quipping "So, honey, you can hold me back and I'll write a hit album about it or--stay and support me unconditionally . . ." Whatever you want, whatever you need sings Brasfield cutting in. Barrett even tells us the story of Spector's uber-romantic proposal. There are touching quotes from some of the writers and an occasional anecdote. Cynthia Weil's "He makes me laugh when he's not being jerky" referring to husband Barry Mann, seems to encapsulate this couple's affection. The show is well researched.
For Sonny & Cher's "The Beat Goes On," Spector wears an orange shirt jacket and moustache, Barrett a feathered headband. There's lengthy barbed banter (for which the couple was known) and an unnecessary attempt to imitate vocals that merely sounds dissonant. Emulation continues with Ike and Tina Turner's "Proud Mary," a number Spector and Barrett are quite capable of knocking out of the park without emulation, and, at least to my ear, fortunately diminishes after that.
A pithy Ashford and Simpson medley in the latter part of the show has the pair singing TO each other rather than side by side with intermittent acknowledgment. Physically, they get gradually closer throughout. The Ashford/ Simpson relationship is cited as a "Showmance." Spector and Barrett also met performing. "What if his next co-star is Amy Adams?" Barrett worries aloud. "No, no . . . " Spector says. " . . . Or Jennifer Lawrence," his wife continues. ""Well, yeah, he reflects . . . " It's both cute and credible.
Alas, there's just a single quiet number. A rendition of "All I Have To Do is Dream" (Felice & Boudleaux Bryant) enchants with only Spector on piano and Barrett on a small guitar. This is due to interpretation, not material. Included ballads could easily have been rendered in less 11 o'clock, show-stopping fashion, which would've helped vary the show's impact.
Jarrod Spector and Kelli Barrett are crackerjack together. The show is original, dynamic, and warm, nostalgic and foot tapping.
Music Director/Arranger/Piano: Adam Ben-David, Drums: Damien Bassman, Guitar: Aurelien Budynek, Bass: Mark Verdino, Sax: Andy Snitzer
Additional shows: October, 22, 23, both at 7 pm.
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