PETER GALLAGHER Reviews Actor, Star, Singer, Raconteur: Baby, Itís Crowded Inside Peter Gallagher has the gift of gab. This New York actor, born into the
Irish storytelling tradition, spins amusing yarns with an ease that turns
the kind of polished after-dinner remarks usually accompanied by brandy and
cigars at a black-tie function into yarns swapped by regular guys over beers
in the local pub.
Yes, a few famous names pop up in ìSongs and Stories,î his auspicious nightclub debut at Feinsteinís at the Regency. There is his spot- on imitation of Dean Martin, an early singing idol, crooning a fragment of ìEverybody Loves Somebody.î And there is his remembrance of a mischievous Peter OíToole boasting that the tall tales Mr. Gallagher might have heard about Mr. OíTooleís misadventures with the two Richards (Burton and Harris) were all true. But Mr. Gallagher is no name-dropper. Nor is he ó as you might expect a performer with matinee-idol looks to be (those eyebrows!) ó a vain, preening actor clutching at his fading youth. If anything, Mr. Gallagher, 51, appears delighted to be relieved of pretty-boy duties to play roles like ìthe cool dadî in "The O.C." In rebellious teenage minds, he remarks, there is no such thing as a cool parent. What makes Mr. Gallagherís gift of gab so special is how naturally it extends to singing. He inhabits a song so comfortably that it flows directly out, a fusion of his own personality and the character he is playing. This talent, which theatrical coaches try to teach but is almost impossible to learn, was the secret behind his thrilling portrayal of Sky Masterson in the 1992 Broadway revival of ìGuys and Dolls.î It also animates his performances of all but one of the showís dozen numbers, three of which come from ìGuys and Dolls.î The only misfire at Tuesdayís opening night show was a perfunctory duet of ìBaby, Itís Cold Outside,î sung with guest vocalist Holly Palmer. He is backed by a strong four-member band that includes Bob Thiele Jr. on guitar, Ted Baker on piano, Dan Falzone on bass and Ben Perowsky on drums. Mr. Gallagherís singing voice is warm, flexible and unaffected, with keening Irish tenor high notes that he uses sparingly and to powerful expressive effect. When a song demands introspection, Mr. Gallagher goes to its quiet heart without a second thought. There are no layers of masculine defensiveness separating the singer from his material. In ìA Song for You,î ìEverytime It Rainsî and ìBewitched, Bothered and Bewilderedî he goes straight to the essence, without any melodramatic posturing. The balance between singing and storytelling in ìSongs and Stories,î which continues through June, is about equal. In his next engagement ó and please let there be one ó I hope he tilts the balance a little more toward song. TheatreScene.net: As only a handsome Irishman can, Peter Gallagher at 51, brimming with charisma, charms the pants off the crowd in his thoroughly engaging cabaret debut at Feinstein's at the Regency in his auspicious debut show, ìSongs and Stories,î where he is in residence through June 2. He regales the room with comical anecdotes about working with Peter O'Toole and his latest television success, starring as the ìgood dadî on ìThe O.Cî for four seasons. He even does a spot-on impression of Dean Martin. Gallagher also chides about his childhood with other silly stories fused with an eclectic program of interesting songs that suit his legit-crooner singing style. His is a mellow voiced baritone with a warm vibrato. He is at his best on Frank Loesser songs from the terrific ìGuys and Dolls,î in which he co-starred in the 1992 Broadway revival. As Sky Masterson, he was romantic and quite brilliant and, in spite of the somewhat over-frenzied Nathan Lane and Faith Prince hype, he turned in a most dazzling performance in the show. Through the years, he has been a sought after working actor with many memorable turns in the movies in the likes of, ìSex, Lies and Videotapes,î ìAmerican Beautyî and a plethora of television movies. This informal show at Feinstein's is like a walk in Central Park with Gallagher on a sunny day. He is a natural talker and makes his audience feel like he has known them forever. There is little structure to the casual show and, at times, it gets a bit too informal. In this regard, a good director would help with a throughline that flowed smoother with even more connection to spin it all together in such a pricey setting. An experienced director would have also swayed him from using ìDanny Boyî as an encore. While a sentimental favorite, it just doesn't belong in a night club. That said, he has the charm, the looks and talent for a top-notch show that would show him off even more. Opening with ìThe Dreamî by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse from ìRoar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd,î which leads into a swinging ìThe Best Is Yet to Comeî by Cy Coleman kicks it off to a good start. In between stories he sings some nice numbers that flatter him like four rousing Frank Loesser songs that fit like a glove. Most notably, is his closer, ìLuck Be A Lady.î Here, he lets loose and really swings with abandon. More of that is called for. He also has some great chops on the right songs. For instance, a well phrased îDon't Give Up on Me,î ; by Dan Penn and Buck Lindsey creates a special moment to savor. Randy Newman's ìEverytime It Rainsî followed a poignant story of his mother's fading years dealing with Alzheimer's adds a more personal touch. With his natural flare, he extends his knack for telling a story into his animated interpretations of his songs. As a result, his own, winning personality shines. There is no fourth wall and he never indulges in self glorification. Instead, he is more self-effacing, humane and gets straight to the essence of the song without self indulged posturing. This unaffected performance style makes him a winner with the adoring crowd and something more elated cabaret stars should embrace. Backed by a solid, four member band that includes, Bob Thiele Jr., on guitar, Ted Baker on piano, Dan Falzone on bass and Ben Perowsky on percussion, he's in very good hands and will hopefully find a home in cabaret and return again. He strikes a good balance between the stories and the songs. And, ultimately, quibbles aside, this is a special debut by a real star with so much to offer and, let's say the obvious ñ the best is yet to come. Can't wait! From a blogger: Peter Gallagher is currently best known for his role as Sandy Cohen in the Fox hit ìThe O.C.î In his show ìSongs and Storiesî at Feinsteinís at the Regency, he freely admits that he is worlds away from being a ìcool dadî like Sandy. He embarrasses his own kids just as successfully as any parent! This debut cabaret act showcases musical numbers from his illustrious theatre career ó featuring a star turn as Sky Masterson in the Broadway production of ìGuys and Dollsî that also made a star of Nathan Lane. Most impressive though, are selections from his recent solo debut CD from Epic Records ì7 Days in Memphis.î While hearing Gallagher sing such standards as ìLuck Be a Ladyî is very satisfying on its own terms, hearing him sing Solomon Burkeís ìDonít Give up on Meî is pure revelation ó astonishingly he gives this song even more soul than Burke did. By his own admission, Gallagherís premiere cabaret act could so easily have been a piece of hackneyed crap. To his total credit, ìSongs and Storiesî is a smart and sincere evening of songs that reveals Peter as a real, full-throated artist and interpreter.
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