Theater Review – February 20, 2022

BROADWAY’S JEREMY JORDAN MARKS LOCAL DEBUT WITH ENTERTAINING SCOTTSDALE CENTER CONCERT

JEREMY JORDAN IN CONCERT
Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Jeremy Jordan has become a Broadway star from his appearances in “West Side Story,” “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Rock of Ages,” “Newsies,” “Waitress,” “Finding Neverland,” and off-Broadway in “Little Shop of Horrors.”  His imposing stage credits secured him a regular role during the second season of “Smash,” where he starred in “Hit List,” a musical used to describe the challenges of mounting Broadway shows.  Jordan has other impressive television and film credits and now he’s adding cabaret appearances which brought him to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts to mark his local debut.

Jordan appeared with Broadway’s veteran pianist and commentator Seth Rudetsky.  Jordan performed a breezy, relaxed, and entertaining program including musical theater song hits from shows he’s starred in plus relaxed chatter with Rudetsky that provided insight into his career and training. Throughout the 90-minute set, Jordan showcased his mellow and sultry voice with its sensational vibrato.  He also related some amusing stories about the shows he’s done plus insider tidbits about “Smash” that charmed show fans.

Song musical high points included a moving “Maria” from “West Side Story,” a striking “Bonnie and Clyde” musical highlight, a show-stopping “Smash” solo, a “Newsies” triumph, and several musical moments from “Little Shop of Horrors.”  The concert concluded with a touching “Over the Rainbow.”  His single encore, performed without microphone, was an elegantly nuanced “Bring Him Home” from “Les Misérables.”

Interesting career mentions were that his London “Bonnie and Clyde” concert appearance has been recorded and filmed.  He also revealed a planned Broadway musical version of “Smash” but it won’t feature Jordan since it will be based only on the first season before he joined the cast.

Jordan mentioned some challenging moments in shows including a high school “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoats” appearance where he fell into the orchestra pit but jumped back on stage while his family looked on but didn’t notice, a time in the Broadway “Bonnie and Clyde” where he accidentally “tore his leg open,” and when performing a concert version of “Parade” where he sliced his finger.

It was an entertaining evening for Jordan’s many fans but for those unfamiliar with Jordan’s talents, the Scottsdale show let the performer demonstrate his classy and stalwart professionalism as a singing artist.  One hopes locals will get to see him perform in a musical.  Unfortunately, Jordan’s concert only played a single performance.

Grade: A