Paulo Szot @ NJPAC

Had the pleasure of seeing the insanely talented and handsome Paulo Szot out at NJPAC tonight. Their intimate Chase Room is like a VFW hall with better acoustics.

I have seen Mr. Szot in South Pacific and in several operas, but I was unprepared for his concert, tonight. I expected songs from South Pacific and some operatic pieces, but he went everywhere else, from Broadway to Brazilian to standards, to jazz.

Ordinarily, I don't care for opera singers trying other styles. Often, they can't lose enough of their "opera-ness" to make me believe the music, but Mr. Szot is a natural. His Being Alive was breathtaking and made me start silently casting him in every show. Although, too old for Bobby, I wondered if he could make it work.

He performed Stars from Les Miserables in multiple languages, which made me think he will be an excellent Javert, someday. A Cole Porter medley was wonderful and it was nice to hear him sing some of the 'other' songs from South Pacific.

This was more than a pleasant surprise and turned my companion, who was unfamiliar with Mr. Szot, into an instant fan.

My only quibble is that he has, obviously slimmed down and he needs a new tailor, but, if that's the worst you can say about a guy, that's not too shabby

If he performs this show, elsewhere, go see him. I will certainly be there.

He was at the New York Pops Gala to sing "Some Enchanted Evening" and I too noticed that he was back down to about the weight he was at when ne started South Pacific. Bartley Sher, when asked about the most memorable auditions he had witnessed, named Szot's audition. He said that he didn't know what to expect from a middle-aged opera singer auditioning for a Broadway show, but Szot had him right away with his presence and his powerful voice.

Wish I could be more specific, but Bart didn't go into the audition any deeper.

Szot is going to be doing Feinstein's 54 Below the week of June 6th. It might be worth checking him out just on Sher's recommendation. I wonder what night Kelli O'Hara might drop by.