Pop into Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway and you might hear his bright, sunshiny tenor voice zipping through show tunes or pop as a singing waiter. Trading karaoke and tips for A-list pianist Barry Levitt and a tip-top act, Stephen Tyler Davis stepped into the spotlight steps away at The Iridium Jazz Club. Bursting with talent and cheer, he was a late-night delight in the venue’s new New Faces at Midnight series. Recently soaring through doo-wop harmonies as the blond, goofy, wide-eyed member of The Bev-Naps with Scott Barbarino, apparently the uber-energetic entertainer can sing in all styles. To coin a phrase, he’s sorta “spunk rock.”

Peppy banter was endearingly charming, but shouldn’t have included apologies for last-minute changes of plans and staging; that’s unwise and proved unnecessary.

Special guest Alysha Umphress wailed and belted supremely and he was joined by other musical friends. Most interesting and impressive were well-crafted songs from a semi-autobiographical musical he’s collaborating on, especially a wickedly funny one about actors who give it all on stage, leaving nothing for real-life friends, “I Wasted My Emotions in a Play.” But he’s got plenty of emotion that feels real. And he made a real splash. 

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
May 30, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org