Broadway tenor Brent Barrett has provided thrilling theater memories on Broadway. He is currently reprising his role as Billy Flynn in Chicago through March 27. Other plays were Grand Hotel, Dance a Little Closer, West Side Story, Candide and Annie Get Your Gun. In London, his role in Kiss Me, Kate earned him an Olivier Award nomination. Recently, Barrett's stage performances have been concentrated in Las Vegas where he has appeared as the Phantom in Phantom – the Las Vegas Spectacular.

Appearing recently at Birdland was a welcome holiday gift. Sharing his memories of Christmas Mornings, Barrett aimed for a more intimate flavor here, with his choice of traditional and original holiday songs reflecting his Kansas roots. Songwriter Bernie Blanks wrote the sentimental "Christmas Mornings" to accompany Barrett's own childhood memories. Barrett's tender "I'll Be Home for Christmas" was followed by "A Place Called Home." Moving to more universal needs of the lost and forgotten, "A Star to Guide Me" is a new song by Brent Barrett, Bernie Blanks and Barry Kleinbort. Lucas Steele joined Barrett in German and English versions of a lovely, controlled "Silent Night."

Barrett's interpretations were heartfelt, the voice clear, confident and rangy, with soaring high notes and rich lower tones. Musical direction and arrangements by Christopher Denny reflected the singer's nostalgic spirit, building the drama in "The Christmas Song" while holding to the sincerity.  Interspersed were forays into jazzier territory, like a sprightly "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and jazz waltzing to "The Christmas Waltz" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

The highlight of the show was the gorgeous counterpoint pairing of "O Holy Night" and  "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Johann Sebastian Bach).

Christmas Mornings, also the name of his third solo CD, was a beautiful addition to the sentiments of the season by one of the best singers on any stage.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
December 14, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org