Over fifty years of a life lived in the theatre stands before this audience tonight. The eyes I look into have seen the likes of which most of us New York City theatre devotees can only imagine. He's seen it all and done it all. Probably. He'd never drop names or brag. Unless, of course, he could make it comical and sweet. The funny thing is, if I didn't know better, I'd say I was sitting in this man's living room instead of Joe's Pub. That's how John Epperson makes one feel: at home with him, his piano, and lots of dishy stories, laughs, and tunes.
Epperson is an entertainer who has managed to keep all his charming vulnerability while performing. That is true artistry. He cares about what he is doing. He gets a little nervous and then regains strength. He cares about how he makes the audience, his house guests if you will, feel at home.
In this particular cabaret-style show, John Epperson: The Artist Principally Known as Lypsinka, we get perhaps the most personable side of Epperson, who reveals himself outside of his larger-than-life infamous character "Lypsinka" and all her grandness. Opening the show in a flashy "screaming-show business" (his words) green blazer, he quickly jokes "now that you've seen it, I'm going to take it off," revealing a plain-but-cool, washed-and-worn t-shirt.
The show consists of a sort of tribute to the women in his life and those who have influenced him, like Susan Lucci. Have you ever heard Susan Lucci's Emmy Award acceptance speech? Me either. Not until John Epperson lip-synched the entire speech with detailed perfection and lots of drama. Roars of laughter filled the dark, packed room.
Epperson's voice is in quite great shape as well. His velvety vibrato and rich tones are a true joy to take in. At one point, he was playing the piano and singing a song when all of a sudden a fly would not stop circling his head. Never flinching, the superlative showman didn't miss a beat. The fly eventually settled down onto Epperson's shoulder for the rest of the song as if to say, "Hey! I love this song!"
John Epperson has achieved in this performance a quality that all performers should hone: genuine vulnerability. This is what causes an audience to love you or hate you. Or worse than hate: to not care about you. People will never remember what you do or not do. People only remember how you make them feel. John Epperson makes you feel like a friend.
