Bryan Batt
By Peter Leavy
Bryan Batt
Live at the Met
Bryan Batt telegraphs his ebullient personality to the audience at the
Metropolitan Room even as he dances and twists his way to the stage. He
may be a cabaret newcomer, but his extensive musical theater experience
quickly puts him in command.
Batt is
charismatic, he has an appealing baritone, he dances, and he clearly
excels as a monologist. A New Orleans native (his very first cabaret
show was not long ago at Le Chat Noir), much of his patter, in addition
to tales of his theater life, is about his Big Easy childhood, family,
and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. From that, it's no surprise
that his string of very amusing anecdotes is sprinkled with some serene
moments.
Live at the Met's song list is as varied as Batt's gab. His rendition of Once Upon a Time is soft, melodic, nostalgic and rueful. His forceful I Am What I Am evoked cheers from the opening night audience. And Peter Mills' "caveman song," Way Ahead of My Time, is a class-A hoot.
This is Batt's New York cabaret debut, and an impressive one. He's a gem to keep a watch for. Dann Fink directed the show, Michael Lavine was musical director, and Michael Barbieri handled lights and sound.
Peter Leavy
Cabaret Scenes
February 4, 2007
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