BWW Reviews: THE SKIVVIES Delivers Dynamic Performance Nearly Nude at Rockwell!
Last Monday, Rockwell played host to the incredibly entertaining performers The Skivvies, the duo of Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley aptly named because they perform stripped down versions of recognizable songs in their... well, skivvies.
But it's all for the show and a show they certainly gave the audience performing a variety of hit songs including Nelly's "Hot In Herre," a medley of Cole Porter songs, a lively "All About That Bass" featuring Gabe Witcher on violin, a most impressive rendition of "Blister in the Sun" played entirely on a kalimba, and my personal favorite, a mashup of "Toxic" by Britney Spears with Bell Biv Devoe's "Poison." Lauren and Nick clearly stand out as individual voices, each soaring and unique and dynamic in their own way, but together, they bring a winning mixture of fun, enthusiasm, and powerhouse vocals.
Their guests at this show included recent Tony winner Annaleigh Ashford leading the crowd in a very fun game of Simon Says/karaoke to Alanis Morissette's "Ironic," which she astutely observes isn't irony at all, but simply, unfortunate. Laura Bell Bundy performed "Last Christmas," "Another Piece of Me" from her new album with Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me," "Piece of Me" by Britney Spears, and "Take Another Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin. Yes, it was just as brilliant as you imagine it to be. Heath Calvert performed an appropriate balls theme in his segment mixing AC/DC's "Big Balls," "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus, and "Great Balls of Fire." Has "Wrecking Ball" had a mashup with Skee-Lo's "I Wish"? Well, it did very briefly last Monday during Heath's performance. Mary Faber took Wham's "Jitterbug" and smashed it right up into a great mix with Jessie J's "Bang Bang." Yes, with Nicki's rap. It was incredible. Asmeret Ghebremichael took us all right back to the '90s with what was a medley of "Everybody Dance Now" by C+C Music Factory, "Rhythm Is A Dancer" by Snap!, "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic, Reel 2 Real's "I Like To Move It," "Tootsie Roll" by the 69 Boyz, "Whoop! (There It Is)" by Tag Team, "Da' Dip" by Freak Nasty, "C'Mon 'N Ride It (The Train)" by the Quad City DJs, and to wrap it up, "Cotton Eye Joe," "Boom Boom Boom Let Me Hear You Say Wayo!" "Macarena." Basically, my entire childhood wrapped up in 5 minutes.
Asmeret also made an appearance during Jeremy Jordan's performance of "Creep" by TLC and Radiohead. Is there any song that Jeremy Jordan can't blow out of the water with his voice? No? I didn't think so. It was all appropriately creepy. Jeremy also did a great job of promoting his latest venture "Supergirl" by wearing a top with the Superman logo. Joseph Morales rapped and sang his way through a great performance of "Superbass" by Nicki Minaj and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." You wouldn't think it would work, but it did. Finally, Nicole Parker delivered what I'm pretty sure is the greatest parody ever. Sorry, Weird Al. What started out as an imitation of Eminem's "Lose Yourself" quickly turned into a version that every musical theater performer, fan should hear. If this is her Hamilton audition, someone please call Lin-Manuel Miranda. It became this hybrid "Lose Yourself," "No Good Deed" from Wicked, "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl masterpiece. In a room full of musical theater fans - this killed.
If you have the opportunity to see The Skivvies live -- do it. You'll be in for a night of fantastic performances from anyone involved. Visit their website for show dates: http://www.theskivviesnyc.com/shows.html
Photos by: Aimee Curameng
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina
Nicole Parker and Laura Molina
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina
Nick Cearley, Rob Humphries, Lauren Molina, Gabe Witcher
Nick Cearley, Rob Humphries, Lauren Molina, Gabe Witcher
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina
Asmeret Ghebremichael and Nicole Parker
Asmeret Ghebremichael and Nicole Parker
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