BWW Reviews: MALCOLM GETS AT THE BARBARA COOK SPOTLIGHT SERIES at The Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts

Barbara Cook's Spotlight Series at The Kennedy Center has served as an incredible showcase for some of Broadway's greatest talent to take a smaller stage. The first one I attended was 5 years ago when Laura Benanti took the stage. Since then, dozens of other brilliant performers have taken to the Terrace stage to share a different, more casual side.

Keeping up the tradition this month was Malcolm Gets, best known for his roles in Amour, A New Brain, and Television's "Caroline and the City." Most recently, I had the honor of seeing Malcolm in one of the 4 Broadway performances of The Story of My Life. The short-lived two-person musical remains one of the most poignant and beautiful pieces I've ever experienced. With music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, it told the story of two best friends through a series of stories written by one of the men. It starred Gets and Will Chase and unfortunately failed to gain the critical and financial acclaim necessary for a run worthy of the work.

When I found out Malcolm would be appearing in DC, I jumped at the opportunity. Malcolm has a simple and warm presence that comes across nicely in the smaller auditorium. His talents on the piano through his first set including standards such as "Shall We Dance," and "If I Loved You," as well as a mashup of Sondheim's "Another Hundred People" and "So Many People."

Accomplished music director Alex Rybeck then joined Malcolm for a few more numbers, including my favorite of the evening, "Mrs. Remington" from the aforementioned The Story of My Life.

Throughout the evening, Malcolm entertained with anecdotes from his youth and younger days in New York - including a story of one of those accidental moments on the streets of NYC, bumping into James Taylor - which led us into a stunning arrangement of "Something in the Way She Moves," accompanied by Josh Page on vocals and Zach Page on guitar. Both accomplished artist in their own right, Malcolm generously surrendered the stage to the brothers momentarily for a lovely rendition of "The House at Pooh Corner." Zach's guitar talents nearly stopped the show.

Following a few more standards - including Sondheim's "Broadway Baby" from Follies, we were treated to an original song by Composer Peter Mills, "The Caveman Song." Wrapping things up with Lional Bart's "It's a Fine Life" from Oliver and encoring with the title song from "The Sound of Music," I left The Kennedy Center feeling like I'd just spent an evening with an old friend - which I'd like to think makes it a successful evening in a cabaret setting.

Not every artist allows themselves to be vulnerable enough to be truly successful in these smaller settings. It takes something special to bring the audience along on these intimate journies. Malcolm makes every moment work with his honesty and openness and willingness to share the space with other talented artists.

Next season's Spotlight Series Terri White, Randy Graff, Michele Lee, John Lloyd Young and Frances Ruffelle. Visit http://www.kennedy-center.org for tickets and more information.

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