In his show “Pour Spirits” at the Metropolitan Room, Eric Yves Garcia gives us a strong, masculine presence and a strong voice. He’s an excellent story teller, a verbal entertainer, and his pieces give us rambling true-isms, philosophic and romantic tales, all with a heartfelt simplicity. Many of his stories wherein he gives insights into his adventures, are prose that is sung- a kind of sprechstimme. There is good comedic writing as he performs the songs of many contemporary artists. Garcia is a vivid pianist, and he gets fine support from bassist Ritt Henn and the super guitarist Peter Callo, it’s all quite engaging, quite entertaining.

Richmond Shepard----

Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com

BOOGIE STOMP, written by John Campana, is one of the best, most entertaining shows in town. Two virtuoso pianists, Arthur Migliazza and Bob Baldori, take us on a musical trip thru the past ninety years of American music, showing us, in brilliant duo-piano renditions, the influence Boogie Woogie has played in Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, jazz, pop music, and even Big Band music. There’s an amazing “St. Louis Blues.” From chord one, and through the show, I had to restrain myself from jumping up and dancing. These guys have the fastest fingers in the west, they sing, and Bob does a harmonica riff that’s like a Picasso painting- abstract, clear, and exciting. He’s a master. The intricate point, counter point of these two delightful piano magicians gives us a musical feast.

It is directed with great flair by Kirk Gostowski. What a Show! At the Elektra Theatre, 300 W. forty-third St., Wed – Fri at 8:PM, Sat at 8:30 PM 866-811-4111. Boogiestomp.com.

Richmond Shepard----

Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com

SHEAR MADNESS by Paul Portner is a campy romp in a hair salon set on Ninth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It’s a murder mystery— explored, and, with the help of the audience, solved. It includes topical humor, and they try to narrow the Trump jokes to only one. Lead Tony (Jonathan Spivey) Tinkerbell’s it- flying and flitting around the stage. It’s a very noisy show- like a bunch of kids running around shouting, with corny jokes, and all of this total absurdity is very entertaining. The cast, wearing Rodney Harper’s perfect costumes, is terrific- all six of them- and direction by Bruce Jordan is excitingly zippy as played on Will Cotton’s accurate set with his fine lighting. It’s light, it’s full of fun, it’s a hoot. Go, Dahling-- you’ll have a great time.

Richmond Shepard----

Performing Arts Insider, lively-arts.com

LUSCH ROCKS OUT

The delicious Barbara Lusch, a jazz singer from Portland Oregon, made her New York cabaret debut at the Metropolitan Room last month, in two nights of her “Rock Me Sweet” concert of ‘80s rock anthems reinvented as if they were torch songs. The show, which also marked the East Coast release of her CD of the same name, was Lusch’s first time performing since the ‘80s when she lived here and was a model and actress.

A charming hostess on stage, Lusch has a girlish sincerity that endears her both to men and women. The acclaimed Earl Rose arranged the album which was engineered by multi-Grammy winner Al Schmitt -- Lusch was captivating in moments of deep longing as she brought out the feminine mystique of songs like “Running on Empty,” “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner and “Owner of a Lonely Heart” made famous by Yes. These versions are truly luscious as interpreted by the excellent New York-based quartet led by Art Hirahara -- Alex Hernandez on bass, Dan Aran on drums and the magnificent Jennifer Vincent on cello. I was amazed to learn that before the New York concerts Lusch had never played with this combo. Lusch shared her delight at being on a New York stage and promised to come back. I hope she keeps her promise.

Rollo Bretwick for Richmond Shepard-- lively-arts.com