BWW Reviews: AN EVENING WITH JESSIE & JARROD OF BEAUTIFUL at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

There are solid odds that Aerosmith's "Dream On" has never been played in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center - except maybe by construction workers. And yet, there is Jarrod Spector blazing new trails as part of "An Evening with Jessie & Jarrod: The Stars of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical."

The evening - which continues tonight at NJPAC - consists of Jessie Mueller and Jarrod Spector - doing some mash-ups, personal anecdotes, lavishing in their easy rapport, and hitting high notes (his Jersey Boy falsetto, her sultry intimacy with "Being Alive.")

Their banter has the feel of 70's Donny & Marie Osmond - she's a "Lutheran who plays Jews"; he's a "Jew who plays Italians"; to which she replies, "So you're a pizza bagel." And yet, when they sing they bring the audience in the Victoria Theater into an intimate conversation leaving one feeling like they are singing just to you.

They open with King's "I Feel The Earth Move" and "Lost That Loving Feeling." Taking turning Jessie talked about her upbringing in Evanston Illinois and her audition process for her Broadway debut in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever "booking the Super Shuttle" before breaking into Rogers & Hammerstein's "It Might as Well Be Spring" from "State Fair." She was the break out star of that revisical, quickly getting cast in the Public's "Into The Woods" for Shakespeare in the Park, Roundabout's "Edwin Drood" and then her Tony-winning portrayal of Carole King in "Beautiful." Mueller brings a lush, vibrant personality and voice to all her songs.

Spector talks of not having Broadway roots despite a turn in "Les Miserables" as Gavroche. He fares best on The Righteous Brothers, Aerosmith, and Little Jimmy Scott as his "Bring Him Home" - well acted and nicely sung - is belied by the treacle of the lyrics. Known for six years, 1,500 performances on Broadway of Frankie Valli - Jarrod knocks the cover off tunes that highlight his searing falsetto, is a bit over-powered by the band in "Can't Take My Eyes off of You."

Together their duets, which include a mash up with Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind", graceful, loving rapport, and cap off with "Go Your Own Way" make for a compelling evening. While "Beautiful" nicely showcases both their voices, their concert provides a glimpse of who these amazing performers are through song choice, banter, and wonderful performances. Catch them this evening at NJPAC and together through Friday in "Beautiful" and as part of a tour with this revue.

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