Can the weekend get any better- Yes, it can with a spectacular performance by the phenomenal Ben Crawford at 54 Below. His show, Songs I Like to Sing that I Hope You'll Like to Hear, was a lively evening of beautiful music and exquisite vocals.
Ben Crawford is known for his numerous Broadway performances, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Shrek The Musical, Big Fish, Les Misérables and On the Twentieth Century. But he may be most famously known for his role as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.
Crawford's set included pop and Broadway hits along with stories about his musical career. The stories he shares add a personal and humorous touch. He told the audience that early on in his career, some unbelievers told him he would not make it and "who did he think he was, Justin Timberlake," so he paid a mini tribute to JT in this performance with a magnificent rendition of "Nothing Else." His range is uncanny! Another of my favorite pop songs for the evening was his version of Harry Styles's "Late Night Talking." He gives it his unique spin and delivers a solid cover.
One of the funniest stories he shares is how his colleague tells him that he will sing "that song" from the classic The Phantom of the Opera forever. At first, he glosses over it until he realizes that even at Christmas concerts, he's asked to "Sing it!" And then he sings it--an excerpt of "Music of the Night"- a fantastic performance!
Watching Ben Crawford perform is a delight! He is exceptional, whether he is portraying a classic character or vibing to pop songs. I can't wait to see him again and am looking forward to seeing him back on a Broadway stage.
"Ben Crawford: Songs I Like to Sing that I Hope You'll Like to Hear"
Performed by Ben Crawford
Music direction by John Coyne
August 24-26, 2023
54 Below
254 W 54th St. Cellar, NYC 10019
Yani Perez, M.F.A, is a poet, playwright, translator, and educator. Her plays have been presented in various theaters in the United States such as La Mama and Yale University as well as internationally in Bogotá, Colombia. She works at IATI Theater, one of the oldest Latinx theaters in NYC. She is currently working on translations of Latinx artists in hopes of introducing them to English-speaking audiences.