Review: Ben Nordstrom at the Sheldon Concert Hall

Since I started writing theatre reviews a few years back one of the most interesting things that's occurred has been the opportunity to watch performers grow and take risks. A little over a year and a half ago I had the chance to cover Ben Nordstrom's first cabaret performance at the Kranzberg Arts Center, and I thought he did a solid job, but I could tell he was still finding his way as a solo performer. However, if his concert at the Sheldon this past Tuesday (10/5/2010) is any indication, he's really coming into his own as a solo singer who can engage and captivate a crowd with both his voice and personality. His show this time around was briskly paced (about 75 minutes), and featured a bevy of selections that ranged from musical theatre standards (and non-standards) to some fairly current songs from a number of interesting songwriters like Jason Mraz, Ben Folds and John Forster.

Nordstrom kicked off the night with Mraz's upbeat number, "Make it Mine", and that's exactly what he did, allowing this punchy tune to set the tone for what was to follow. A lovely reading of "Something's Coming" (West Side Story) led into a comic song by Forster called "Cancun", which detailed the travails of a tourist who's seeking some illegal nose candy in this resort area, and winds up with more than he bargained for in the process. It may have been a rather politically incorrect choice of subject matter given these conservative times we live in, but Nordstrom mined the song for maximum comic potential, which easily glossed over any issues some may have had with its lyrical content.

Nordstrom then dipped back into time to do a nice version of Rodgers and Hart's "I Wish I Were In Love Again" (Babes in Arms) before coming back to the present for the amusing "My Stupid Mouth" (John Mayer), the touching song "New Words" (Maury Yeston), and the surprisingly apt number "The Kid Inside" (Barry Manilow).

Katy Tibbets, who performed with Ben in an early morning show earlier this year at the Sheldon, came up to duet with him on "What Could Be Better" (Baby) before taking her own solo turn with Jason Robert Brown's "Stars and the Moon". Though not wholly unexpected, this was a nice treat, and lent the evening some variety that was certainly appreciated.

Nordstrom returned with "Half As Big As Life" (Bacharach-David), a charming and catchy song which he belted out regularly while essaying the lead in Stages St. Louis' delightful production of Promises, Promises. A shout out to his "homies" in Ballwin brought forth a fun and funny rendition of "Rockin' the Suburbs" (Ben Folds), which really grabbed the audience's attention.  A good version of  "No More" (Into the Woods) came next before Ben closed with the plaintive song "Home" by Duncan Sheik. He then returned for an encore with Gavin Creel's "Taking the Wheel".

Throughout the evening, Nordstrom told frequently amusing vignettes about his life and experiences, and he incorporated them into his between song patter, using these stories to set up the next number in expert fashion.

Pianist/arranger extraordinaire (and, according to Ben, his "life coach") Neal Richardson, who I can't say enough good things about, accompanied Nordstrom. Richardson is an exceptional talent, and his deft touch really made these numbers sing instrumentally. The pair have developed a musical rapport that served the evening extremely well.

I'm very pleased with the progress the Nordstrom has made as a solo artist, and I genuinely look forward to watching him as he continues to follow his musical muse.

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