Wow!  What a treat.  I first learned of Adam Guettel when I saw The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center.  I instantly fell in love with his style, and tonight I fell in love with his voice.  Who knew this amazingly talented composer and lyricist could sing so beautifully?  And play the guitar!  Tonight he treated us to songs from not only The Light in the Piazza, but also from earlier musicals—Floyd Collins and Myths and Hymns—along with some new songs from Millions, a musical to be based on a Danny Boyle film.

Guettel’s songs are reminiscent of pop, rock, opera, folk.  They are emotionally driven and beautiful to listen to.  While not the easiest songs to sing, their poetry is perfect fare for cabaret.  They are songs with real emotions about real people. Guettel has never shied away from difficult subject matter, which makes his job all the more challenging.  He’s a songwriter I will follow fervidly from now on.

As the Hippodrome’s season continues, I’m more and more impressed. It’s really exciting and always unpredictable.  As London’s cabaret venues continue to expand, this is one you will definitely want to keep an eye on.

Adam Guettel Continues nightly through September 15.

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
September 10, 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org