BWW Reviews: Travis Cloer: 'Christmas At My Place'

The evening was called Christmas At My Place and, in this instance, Travis Cloer's place was Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center Monday night.

Cloer's "day job" is playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys at Paris Las Vegas. He is terrific as Valli and, as himself, entertaining his audience as if they were truly guests in his home, he is just as good.

He was accompanied by composer/pianist/Jersey Boys musical director Keith Thompson and four other musicians.

"Christmas is my favorite time of year," he said as he opened the show, adding, "I love to watch the snow. On my TV as I sit by my pool."

Naturally, the Christmas-themed program was filled with holiday songs. He kicked it off with "Christmas Is My Favorite Tim of Year" by Keith Thompson. The program included several holiday songs. Notable among these was "Santa Baby," Earths Kitt's 1953 hit. It may be an odd choice for a guy, but Cloer did it beautifully.

In fact, he did every song beautifully. Travis Cloer has a wonderful voice, as is evident when he is Frankie Valli, Cloer is also a very generous performer, enthusiastically welcoming guests onstage to perform with him.

At this show he introduced Paul Vann, with whom he spent time working in Nashville and who now one of the Las Vegas Tenors. Together they sang Mel Tormé's "Christmas Song." Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie jointed him for the Richard Cheese song, "Christmas In Las Vegas." The lyrics are, in part:

"Christmas in Las Vegas
Decorate your tree with chips
Let's roll a yo beneath the mistletoe
While that angel strips

Rudolph sold the sled, now he's betting on red
In a casino made out of gingerbread
Christmas in Las Vegas
It's a trip!

The wise men are rolling sevens
The elves are doubling down
Light a candle, and pull the handle
I love that jingling sound

Every showgirl and boy ride in a sleigh of joy
Pulled by eight tiny tigers eating Siegfried & Roy
Christmas in Las Vegas
What a town!"

Niki Scalera dueted with Cloer on the Andrea Bocelli-Celine Dion song, "The Prayer." It was breathtaking.

Lydia Ansel, a member of Rod Stewart's orchestra at the Coliseum accompanied Cloer on her violin as he sang "Silent Night." Also beautiful.

His final guests for the evening were Sarah Lowe, Nikka Wahl, and Lauren Tartaglia-Guivas. The three are in the cast of Jersey Boys and, between them, play 30 roles. Together they sang Bing Crosby's standard "I'll be Home For Christmas."

Cloer sang a lovely rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Travis Cloer: Christmas at My Place was a terrific, fun melodic evening. Hope to get invited back again next year.

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