Review: Hugh Panaro Does It Again in MAN WITHOUT A MASK at 54 Below
This engagement is, pretty much, the blueprint of what he and his Director, Richard Jay-Alexander created and the recording of MAN WITHOUT A MASK is just fantastic.
Hot on the heels of MASQUERADE, the immersive PHANTOM OF THE OPERA experience on West 57th Street, Hugh Panaro is doing a return engagement at 54 Below.
There is no question that Mr. Panaro is a world-class performer and it mystifies us that when I mention his name to people, I have to explain who he is and what his career accomplishments are. The industry is now littered with singers and actors and debuts by people “I” never heard of, including “influencers”, YouTube stars and "Tik-Tokers." Hugh Panaro is a sure thing, a solid stock investment of time and money and I wholeheartedly recommend you seek him out. This engagement is, pretty much, the blueprint of what he and his Director, Richard Jay-Alexander, created, and the recording of MAN WITHOUT A MASK is just fantastic. You can stream it and hear him for yourself, if you’re reading this and don’t have access to NYC’s 54 Below.
Hugh Panaro’s voice is astonishing and that is no exaggeration. Full, rangey, colorful, delicate, robust, dangerous, soaring and everything in between. He's funny, charming, handsome and has you in a spell song after song after song. There were countless electrifying musical moments throughout the show, and Hugh’s special guest Francesca Mehrotra, added a stunning touch with their (Masquerade) duet on The Music Of The Night.
Joseph Thalken at the piano with his full bodied theatrical arrangements and Brian Holrz on bass supporting Hugh makes this evening an iconic musical 54 Below engagement.
Adding even more buzz to the night was the presence in the audience of Hugh’s “Christine” in Phantom of The Opera on Broadway in the early 2000s, Raissa Katona Bennett and Bill Russell, lyricist/book writer of Side Show.
For tickets to the rest of the run, continuing April 24, 25, 30 and May 1, visit 54 Below’s website. See photos from the opening night show on April 23 below.
Hugh Panro
Hugh Panro
Hugh Panaro & Raissa Katona Bennett
Raissa Katona Bennett & Hugh Panaro
Raissa Katona Bennett, Joseph Thalken, Eda Sorokoff
Hugh Panaro & Francesca Mehrotra
54 Below
54 Below
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