Michael Feinstein referred to Carnegie Hall as “the cultural epicenter of New York, and our country”, and based on his joyous performance the night of March 23, celebrating the revered venue’s 125th anniversary, it’s safe to say Mr. Feinstein was speaking the truth. The keeper of the Great American Songbook was joined by special guests, who serenaded an excited audience with some of the greatest songs to have been performed at Carnegie Hall. Numbers made famous by Irving Berlin, Judy Garland, and Mr. Feinstein himself, reverberated within the walls of Zankel Hall. Mr. Feinstein started the concert by playing some Gershwin, doing a mashup of “They All Laughed” and “I Got Rhythm”, with some notes of “Rhapsody in Blue” added near the end. After all, Feinstein explained that Carnegie Hall had been only the second place where “Blue” was performed back in 1924. One of the many bits of trivia he provided throughout the evening.
But Feinstein never does trivia for trivia’s sake, instead it became clear that the theme of the night was how Carnegie Hall is both legendary and up with the times (or perhaps it’s legendary, because it’s always been in tune with the times...) when at one point Feinstein opened the show for audience requests, one could hear song titles coming from all over the auditorium, and it became clear that Carnegie Hall means something different, and special, to each person who sat there. Out of all the suggestions, Feinstein performed “My Funny Valentine” which he segued into “I Won’t Send Roses”, because they shared the same note he added.
As charming as his solo numbers were, the show was at its best when Feinstein featured his guests. Former Miss America Susan Powell sang a moving rendition of Jerome Kern’s “Bill” from Showboat, the extraordinary Liz Callaway was joined by composer John Bucchino who accompanied her in the piano to perform his very own “It Feels Like Home” (apparently Audra McDonald sang it acapella shortly after Zankel Hall was opened, “I’ll be using a microphone” said Callaway) and then did a rousing version of “The Trolley Song”. Bucchino then was joined by Feinstein who sang a piece commissioned by Carnegie Hall, it was a lovely melancholy tune about someone who sees their dream realized by appearing in the respected concert hall, and also fulfills his father’s wish.
The last special guest to appear was Tony winner Christine Ebersole who brought a welcome sense of vaudeville to the proceedings, having to restart her rendition of “Johnny One Note”, because she wasn’t feeling it, and knocking “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” out of the park. She was then joined for a duet by Feinstein, as they sang a version of “Embraceable You” containing references and bits to a myriad Gershwin tunes including “Fascinating Rhythm”, “I Loved You Porgy” and about a dozen more. Feinstein then closed the evening with an inspired “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, making it hard to think there was a better birthday celebration anywhere else in the land.
