BURNHAM, BABY, BURNHAM
When you first espy David Burnham on stage, his dazzling smile and chiseled looks belie the fact that he has a golden voice and boffo acting chops, both dramatic and comedic. When I first saw him in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the long-haired golden-throated tenor with teeny-bopper idol charisma stole the show in the lead role. More surprising still was his dramatic turn as the love-sick Italian, Fabrizio, in The Light in the Piazza’s national tour: not only did he fit the role better than Matthew Morrison, but his painfully authentic account made me more empathetic to the character’s plight.
But it was at a cabaret in San Francisco that cinched him as one of our great musical theater performers. He took every magic quality and combined them with an intimacy that was irresistible. Now, Burnham comes to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center for two performances only, April 26 and 27, 2017. For those who know the Carpenter, get prepared for a marvelous transformation: the large proscenium house is transformed into a swanky, intimate supper club, where every seat is great. You are not obligated to buy dinner, but if you wish, it is available at 6:00 for only 25 bucks (note that the show starts early at 7:00).
Dazzling, charming, moving, stylish, tender, and a great song interpreter, Burnham is a sensation on every level, and you can’t imagine a better venue in which to see him.
photo from Light in the Piazza by Debora Robinson/SCR
David Burnham
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Cal State Long Beach
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7
Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 7
(dinner available at 6:00)
for tickets, call 562.985.7000
or visit Carpenter Arts
