Tim Connell

November 9, 2015

Tim ConnellTim Connell’s “Here’s The Thing,” which recently completed a run at Don’t Tell Mama, is an example of a good, old-fashioned cabaret show: a singer, a pianist, some good songs, some intelligent patter and a microphone. No frills, no pretensions—just solid entertainment. Accompanied by his talented music director, James Followell, Connell gives us a glimpse into his personal and professional life and how he got to be on the stage entertaining us. Not a new idea to be sure, but a sturdy one that works quite well for him.

His opener, Dan Fogelberg’s “Part of the Plan,” leads into tales of escaping his strict, unsatisfying boyhood through hit songs on AM radio, especially those of the Carpenters, well-represented here by “Yesterday Once More” (Richard Carpenter, John Bettis) and, perhaps inevitably, “Sing” (Joe Raposo). He has a good pop/Broadway sound (sometimes reminiscent of Neil Sedaka) that perfectly suits this material. He does Peter Mills’s marvelous bit of special material “Way Ahead of My Time,” about a caveman whose artistic bent is not appreciated by his fellow cave dwellers, as a sly comment on both his inability to fit in with his family or schoolmates and his coming out. He is naturally funny without forcing things.

It’s not his fault, but I do wish Connell had found another song to highlight coming of age and the need to escape rather than Craig Carnelia’s “Flight.” I have heard this used so many times in exactly this way that my mind begins to shut down when I hear the first notes. The fact that the built-in pyrotechnics of the melody are a bit beyond him does not help matters. Matt Alber’s “The End of the World” and John Bucchino’s “Taking the Wheel” mirror both these problems. However, he is so immensely likable that it covers a lot of these missteps.

Tales of his mother, father and twin brother are charming and moving, and overall his choice of songs is terrific.  I especially liked his gentle love song to the city in years gone by, “I Miss New York” (Peter Golub, Mark Campbell) and his return to the Carpenters to ease a broken heart, with “Superstar” (Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell).  Another comic highlight is “Therapy Works” (Carla Ulbrich), listing his psychological gains as he falls apart in front of us. His fun foray into country, “Lookin’ for Love” (Wanda Mallette, Bob Morrison, Patti Ryan) from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, takes on new meaning as a background to Connell’s making a successful pickup while performing in a country revue at Six Flags in the summer of ’81. He resurrects “Father to Son” (William Finn) in touching tribute to his father’s sad passing. “No One Is Alone” (Stephen Sondheim) might be an obvious choice in this section of the show, but the singer makes it work, partially because as he sang, I was imagining what a terrific Baker he would make in Into the Woods.

His storytelling, both in and around the songs, is well done, no doubt helped by the thoughtful direction by Stephen Petrillo. There are a few things that could use some tweaking in the physical performance. Too many songs end with his hands punching dramatically into the air, and his microphone technique could be a bit smoother (moving the mic in and out of the stand too often in a single song). But as I said as I began this review, this is a good, solid show and I look forward to seeing what Connell will come up with next. He will reprise this show on December 3 at 9:00PM as part of the “Winter Rhythms” festival at Urban Stages.

“Here’s the Thing”
Don’t Tell Mama  –  October 17, 29

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About the Author

Gerry Geddes has conceived and directed a number of musical revues—including the Bistro- and MAC Award-winning "Monday in the Dark with George" and "Put On Your Saturday Suit-Words & Music by Jimmy Webb"—and directed many cabaret artists, including André De Shields, Helen Baldassare, Darius de Haas, and drag artist Julia Van Cartier. He directs "The David Drumgold Variety Show," currently in residence at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, and has produced a number of recordings, including two Bistro-winning CDs. He’s taught vocal performance at The New School, NYU, and London’s Goldsmith’s College and continues to conduct private workshops and master classes. As a writer and critic, he has covered New York’s performing arts scene for over 40 years in both local and national publications; his lyrics have been sung by several cabaret and recording artists. Gerry is an artist in residence at Pangea, and a regular contributor to the podcast “Troubadours & Raconteurs.” He just completed a memoir of his life in NYC called “Didn’t I Ever Tell You This?”