Review: Jessica Vosk Presented By Washington Performing Arts At Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

We all know that Jessica Vosk is best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. It's how many of us first became familiar with her talents. When the tour came here to the Kennedy Center in 2016, Vosk effectively blew a hole in the roof of the Opera House. Her performance was that good. After touring, she was rightfully chosen to perform the show on Broadway for its fifteenth anniversary.

Many concert artists have a through line when they perform. It might be the songs of (insert composer) or concentrate on a particular genre of music.

Jessica Vosk's concert at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue last evening was entitled A Broadway Valentine and while many of the songs performed were from Broadway, Vosk kicked things up a few notches by adding songs by Bonnie Raitt, Sara Bareilles, Dolly Parton, and more to her fantastic mix. The result was a wonderful evening.

Ms. Vosk entered from the back of Sixth and I's auditorium in an eye-popping red dress while setting the tone for the evening with "Let Me Entertain You" from Gypsy. Man, did she ever!!

Vosk told her audience that because it was Valentines Day, her concert would get into the good and the bad aspects of love. Her set list definitely did just that.

One of the many highlights from the evening included a stellar combining of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and Jason Robert Brown's "Still Hurting" from The Last Five Years. This was what you would call a winning combination to be sure.

Other vocal blisses included "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles, "Everybody Says Don't" from Stephen Sondheim's "Anyone Can Whistle" and Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You".

Her "audition" for the national tour of Funny Girl stopped the show with a killer "Don't Rain on My Parade". Producers- Do the right thing!

Vosk's backup singer Marissa Rosen, a pint size dynamo in her own rite, was given a solo turn and let's just say that her "Son of A Preacher Man" rocked the rafters of Sixth and I.

One of my favorite pieces from the evening was bar none "King of Wishful Thinking" made famous by Go West. Here Vosk and Rosen voices blended in sheer vocal perfection.

Because Vosk's concert encompassed so many genres of music, you needed an accompanist who was able to play all styles of music. In this case Michael O. Mitchell rose to the challenge. Mitchell is currently the associate conductor for MJ The Musical on Broadway. His musicianship was just great!!

Aside from all the music, Vosk's stories from working on Broadway were something else. I particularly enjoyed hearing about her reaction when she was told she had to go on for Golde in Fiddler on The Roof mid-show after the regular actress suffered an onstage injury. Did I mention Vosk had just finished her regular track as Fruma-Sarah? Ah, the life of a performer.

Jessica Vosk at age 30 chose a career move that some would say she was crazy to make. She went from a well paying job on Wall Street to becoming a performer. Last night's concert proved that sometimes you just have to follow your dream and do what you think is right.

Jessica Vosk's A Broadway Valentine hit every emotion that love does. The talent of Vosk, Rosen and Mitchell were off the charts and the song choices and Vosk's winning personality definitely knocked this concert out of the park.

Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.

Jessica Vosk was a one night only engagement at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on February 14th, 2023. For upcoming events at the venue, click here.

For upcoming events from Washington Performing Arts, click here.

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