NEXT TO NORM
Here’s a way to spend a Monday evening: Broadway, television, and film actor Norm Lewis is taking his night off from starring in the national tour of A Soldier’s Play at the Ahmanson Theater (which is a must-see) and will be crooning for you this Monday, June 12 at 8:30 (doors open at 7). Look, this guy’s been doing Broadway shows for decades (I think the first time I saw him was in The Who’s Tommy), he received a slew of noms for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, and was also in Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, and The Who’s Tommy. Yeah, you’re in for a good showtune time.
The glorious Lewis will be belting out Broadway tunes from shows such as Les Misérables, Porgy and Bess and Phantom of the Opera — Lewis was the first Black “Phantom,” and the first Black “Javert.” His rich silken baritone voice, dashing looks and charming personality are always crowd pleasers. Mr. Lewis’s concert will be directed by Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters) with musical direction by Kenneth Crouch (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Holliday).
When I saw Lewis at Feinstein’s 54 Below in Manhattan last year, he performed the largely spoken “Ya Got Trouble,” from The Music Man, which is arguably Broadway’s first rap song. He asked us to sing the callback parts (“Trouble! Trouble! Trouble!”), and it was a delight. Yeah, expect that.
Be sure to book ahead — the room is very intimate, and tickets are selling well. And bring your appetite. There’s a full bar and menu to order from. See you there!
Moonlighting
Norm Lewis
presented by Chris Isaacson Presents
Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood
Monday June 12, 2023 at 8:30pm (doors open at 7)
for tickets ($25-$45, Artist Circle and VIP Seating),
visit Catalina Jazz Club or Ticket Web
tickets purchased online receive priority seating
single entrée or drink minimums apply per patron