Anybody heading to Joe's Pub on January 24th? Brian Justin Crum (the current Gabe/Henry standby in 'Next to Normal') is doing a concert and it looks like it's going to be awesome! Stephen Schwartz is going to do a tune with him, Donna Vivino, fresh from being Elphaba on the "Wicked" tour, will be belting it out, AND the brilliant Tituss Burgess will be there. There's going to be so many high notes, I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with myself! Jesse Vargas, fresh from "[title of show]" at George Street will be MD'ing. Can't wait to see what they cook up, and the tix were cheap - $20. Joe's Pub is so fun too!
So who else is coming? And who else has seen him in N2N recently?! I've only seen him as Gabe, but he was GREAT! Looked so much like BDJ - it was crazy!
Here's what the press release said about it:
"Brian Justin Crum, who is currently a cast member of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal, will make his solo debut Jan. 24, 2011, with Nowhere Near Normal, a concert at Joe's Pub.
Grammy and Academy Award-winning and Tony-nominated composer Stephen Schwartz and singing actors Tituss Burgess and Donna Vivino are set to make guest appearances, with more guest performers to be announced shortly.
Jesse Vargas will provide musical direction and arrangements for the show, which is set to feature a selection of Broadway and rock music.
Crum has also appeared in the Broadway revival and national tour of Grease. Other credits include Wicked, Altar Boyz, Snapshots and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Joe's Pub is located in the Public Theater at 425 Lafeyette Street. Tickets are $20 and are available at JoesPub.com."
I've never seen him or heard of him and I saw N2N 5 times.
I'm sure lots of the fankids will make it to Joe's if they are willing to pay the cover and drink minimum. There's no lotto at Joe's Pub, so they will probably pass.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I got to see him on as Henry when I saw the show early last month. He was fantastic, and such a nice (and adorable) person at stagedoor. I'd love to go, but I won't be in town then!
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
He has a nice voice, but he's a little over-affected for my taste. He sounds like Josh Strickland who I like better. I wish josh would get off that fake boob Las Vegas show and return to Broadway.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
Since no one else posted anything....let me be the one to say what a great concert this was last night. The music was quite varied and all very enjoyable.
He opened with 2 pop sounding songs that I was not familiar with, followed by "Mad World". Schwartz joined him on stage and accompanied him for a medley of "In Whatever Time We Have" and "As Long as You're Mine", together with someone who's name I didn't recognize. He sang another Schwartz song, I believe from Children of Eden, and then was joined by Titus Burgess for "Meadowlark" which was the highlight of the evening for me. He closed with "The Power of Love" the Huey Lewis one, and then sang "Faithfully" as an encore.
I was impressed with his ability to connect with the audience and in his delivery of each song. I've seen others in their solo debuts who have not been able to pull you in to the song as well as he can. He seems to have already mastered that ability to perform the song in character, whereas others seem to just perform the song as themselves, which may be their intention, but in a small setting it's not as powerful.
There were also some great renditions of songs by Whitney and Mariah, as well as a kick ass version of "You Oughta Know."
He was also so likable as a performer; joking around, having fun with the audience. He's obviously very comfortable with who he is which is always so refreshing for male performers. Thanks Brian!
"The price of love is loss, but still we pay; We love anyway."
Wow, he does look a lot like Brian D'Arcy James. Would have been fun to see him go on as Gabe during the few weeks BDJ did the show last summer. Did that ever happen? Never saw him in next to normal. As many times as I saw the show, I saw Kyle and Adam every time.