Review: Rumer Willis and Tye Blue Blow Audiences Away with HOMAGE

Fresh from her stint as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, Rumer Willis and her "nonsexual life partner" Tye Blue took Feinstein's/54 Below by storm with Homage, their soulful and decidedly jazzy cabaret show. Thoroughly enjoying their New York City cabaret debuts, the talented duo had no high concept for the evening. "We're not trying to reinvent cabaret," Blue said. They sang the songs they love to sing in the car when driving around Los Angeles together. As eye rolling and groan inducing as this concept may sound, it must be noted that this simplicity ensured that each and every number had the enthusiastic audience energized and left them applauding and cheering with abandon.

Blue opened the show with his soulful tenor on a riff-filled rendition of "Hate on Me" (Jill Scott, Adam Blackstone, Steve McKie), which he followed with the jazzy torch song, "Cry Me a River" (Arthur Hamilton). Willis took the stage, channeling the breathy, nasal jazz timbre of Amy Winehouse, and sang a spotless rendition of "Back to Black" (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson). From the duo's upcoming show, Estelle, they premiered their hilarious 1940s jazz cover of "Criminal" (Fiona Apple), which featured full-bodied and vibrant vocals from both. Moreover, Joe Graziosi blew the audience away with his brilliant clarinet solo.

Playing off their appearances in tabloids, Willis offered a fun take on "You Don't Own Me" (John Madara, Dave White). Blue followed this with an emotionally rich iteration of "You Don't Know Me" (Cindy Walker, Eddy Arnold). Together, they did a delightful duet on "If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys), highlighting their adorable chemistry and their unending friendship bond. Accompanied by an electrifying saxophone solo from Graziosi, Willis showcased her inner chanteuse with bright vocals and a lovely power belt on "Your Heart is as Black as Night" (Melody Gardot).

Willis informed the audience that she hopes to return to Chicago on Broadway as Velma Kelly, and she and Blue treated the audience to "Class" (John Kander, Fred Ebb), which included a hysterical reference to Donald Trump. Willis then performed a surprisingly sultry version of "Seven Nation Army" (Jack White) that featured a powerful vocal build and a stunning clarinet solo from Graziosi. Blue delivered pure Motown funk and charismatic scatting on "I Choose" (India.Arie, Andrew Catro). Joining in the Motown fun, Willis dueted with Blue on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson) before tearing the roof off with a brassy rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler).

Closing out the show, Blue and Willis delivered a cheerful and ebullient version of "Valerie" (Dave McCabe, The Zutons). They followed this with an evocative and powerful cover of "Hello" (Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin), which included a beautiful solo on the saxophone from Graziosi. For the cabaret's finale, Kiyan Taghaboni and Katelyn DeLadurantey joined Willis for a sublimely fun rendition of "It's Raining Men" (Paul Jabara, Paul Shaffer).

Music director and co-arranger, Michael J Moritz Jr led the band from the piano. Co-arranger Graziosi added emotional depth with the saxophone and clarinet. Billy LaGuardia on drums and Larry Cook on bass delivered lively beats. Back-up vocals from Taghaboni, DeLadurantey, and Onyie Nwachukwu added texture while fleshing out chords.