Deconstructing Broadway at Leicester Square

Musician, actor, producer and radio host Seth Rudetsky lives and breathes Broadway. Having worked on some of the genre’s biggest hits, whether playing piano for Les Miserables or producing Hair with Jennifer Hudson, he is perfectly placed to deconstruct the world he loves so much.

Over the course of two hilarious hours, Rudetsky shows us the difference between things that are “A-mahzing!” (you can buy the t-shirt) in a good way, and “A-mahzing!” in a bad way. Teaching us about the correct use of vibrato via Broadway and international stars such as Patti LuPone and Whitney Houston (see I Will Always Love You for an example of how to do it right).

Using video and audio footage to emphasise his point, Seth shares his favourite Broadway performances, along with a whole lot of turkeys. Very old footage of Cher, in particular, performing songs from West Side Story and playing all the characters is a rare, side-splitting treat. Rudetsky doesn’t stop at deconstructing stars though, he even goes on to deconstruct himself, tearing apart his youthful attempts to sing Tomorrow from Annie and explaining to the audience (in case they didn’t notice) what’s wrong with his performance.

What makes Rudetsky such a charismatic and fun performer to watch is the sheer depth and breadth of his knowledge. You instantly believe him when he says he’s been watching these videos twenty times a day, and his knowledge of singing, from the difference between chest and head voice, to flats and sharps, makes him an excellent teacher for the less musically savvy.

What Rudetsky does so well is take you back to that child (or indeed, perhaps the adult) who spent hours and hours watching and re-watching their favourite music videos and TV shows in an effort to dig out all their secrets. His show is a treasure trove of these and his sheer overwhelming love of Broadway, combined with his great stage presence, makes this show a must-see for musical theatre aficionados, and the not so well initiated.

 Verdict: ★★★★★

Nichola Daunton

The Patti LuPone season is on at Leicester Square Theatre until 23^rd June 2012, for further information or to book visit here.