Brandon Cutrell: Away from 'Home' for the Holidays

He made his name at smaller, informal venues like the Duplex and the Laurie Beechman Theatre. But as his fan base has grown, Brandon Cutrell has made increased visits to Feinstein's at Lowes Regency, experimenting with a different style of cabaret in one of the city's most exclusive rooms. He will be performing there for the third time on Monday, December 1, at 8:30.

"It’s always a lot of fun to play Feinstein’s because I don’t perform there nearly as often as I do at the Laurie Beechman Theatre," Cutrell says, and quips that his Feinstein's gigs are "kinda like Christmas…All of my family and friends come in from out of town."

To play different rooms, of course, a cabaret performer must be flexible both musically and dramatically. "You have to know your room and know your audience," Cutrell says. "Feinstein’s is a fancy place, so the audience dresses up… as do I! The Beechman is a beautiful room, too, but it’s more casual, which allows me and my act to be more casual." With the increased price tag at a room like Feinstein's, he adds, comes increased pressure. "The audiences at Feinstein’s are paying a lot of money, so they want to feel as though they are getting their money’s worth," he says. As an example, he admits to having problems memorizing lyrics to songs. "My friend [and piano bar icon] Kenny Holcomb, said, 'For the prices I’m paying, I better not see a music stand in front of you.' Sounds funny, but it’s true! Feinstein’s offers audiences a wonderful night out On the Town, but it’s an expensive one! So I feel like I really have to be at my best."

For this return engagement, Cutrell will be performing songs that are new to his repertoire (save one, which he doesn't disclose). "My director, Lisa Asher; my musical director, Ray Fellman; and I have had a great time choosing the songs," he says. "They are not all holiday-specific songs, but we’ve associated each of them with the holidays in one way or another. As always, I’ll be doing songs by newer, less recognizable composers, but also quite a few standards, like 'Sleigh Ride,' 'Nuttin’ For Christmas,' 'Christmas Time Is Here' [and] even 'Pure Imagination.' We have a few arrangements of which I’m especially proud."

In addition to his Feinstein's gig, Cutrell has numerous other irons in the fire. "I’m in Cincinnati, Corpus Christi and Indianapolis before Christmas," he lists, "[and] then, Alysha Umphress and I are playing The Beechman on New Year’s Eve. The After Party also continues every Friday night at The Beechman, so I plan to keep plugging away at that. In January, I’m going back into the studio to start working on my second CD, so all is d’lish!" Future gigs at Feinstein's may well be in the future, but Cutrell isn't counting any chickens before they hatch. "Time will tell," he says when asked about a return to the Regency. "I absolutely love Feinstein’s, but everyone knows the Beechman is my home."