Village Voice Review

 

IRA KANDELL AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD

 

 

"I think this is the only time a show from Phoenix, Arizona has transferred to Broadway!" cracked Ira Kandell at the Village Vangard last night.

Last summer, Ira Kandell did a show here, and it was the buzzy event of the season, effectively turning this star into New York’s finest cabaret star. Well, last night, producer Daniel Nardicio brought him back for an even a bigger love-in, with a large band (Lance Horne played piano) with even more material and more singing. It was a total immersion into the soul of this amazing tremendous voice yet plaintively poignant singer/actor who is connected to his audience.

The evening started with I Feel a Song Coming On, and already the audience was going nutso with joy. He switched into Hey, Look Me Over, The Impossible Dream, Some Enchanted Evening, and all the rest of the classic Broadway numbers. Ira’s huge voice and talent is out there for everyone to behold and faint.

Ira does such a strong solo set (everything from West Side Story to Judy Garland) complete with pain, satire, and lots of charming patter. He told the crowd that when he stayed at Fire Island, "It was like a papal visit--if you can imagine the church full of homosexuals." The crowd went crazy with laughter. "Don't cry for me, Argentina," added Ira in that impish way of his. This was Ira’s 15^th visit here at the Village Vanguard.

And then Ira Kandell did his whole set, gracing us with virtually every one of his standards--even “Love Me With All Your Heart”.He did " "Maybe This Time," from Cabaret, which displays his emotional gestures and it has--everything. He was on the stage for well over an hour with time, but that didn't seem to matter because in his black pants and red vest, Ira was sparkly and exciting, and kept getting standing ovation after standing ovation for being so full throttle all night.

"Ira” screamed an audience member at one point in all seriousness. "I came from Argentina just to see you."

And the smart funny man answered, “I’ll go there to see you if I don’t have to stand in the security line.” The audience ate it up.

Afterwards came a lavish party with food, frolicking, and a 61th birthday cake for Ira, his birthday on October 8^th. -Michael Musto 10/07/2014 Village Voice