Watching a Broadway legend sing songs pulled from a hat is the perfect way to bring in the New Year. Patti LuPone’s new show at 54 Below, Songs from a Hat, is one delightful, masterful evening of entertainment.
She enters the room like a true pro, confident and graceful. She greets the audience and begins the show with "Another Hundred People" from the musical Company. When she finishes, she informs the audience that the show will be organized by pulling song numbers out of a hat so it will be a spontaneous line-up. The evening proceeds with LuPone engaging with the crowd as they select songs from the black hat exhibiting her charisma and charm. She jokes and shares laughs with them, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Her personality shines throughout the show. It’s a real treat when the audience can see a more personal side of a performer, especially in such an intimate arena. One of my favorite moments is when she introduces a song and says, “there is such a scandalous story behind this one. Oh, so scandalous but I won’t tell you right now.” One can only wonder about the history behind those songs.
The evening continues with a procession of songs with the talented Joseph Thalken on piano, who is also the musical director. Their combination is first-rate and showcased throughout the entire show. The songs selected this evening were on the romantic and sultry side. One is the classic, "Fever" of which Lupone rocks!
Songs from A Hat is scheduled to run until January 8th. This is a definite must-see for the year.
"Songs from A Hat "
Performed by Patti LuPone
Musical Direction by Joseph Thalken
December 20, 2022 - January 8, 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.