Review: KURTIS SIMMONS Rocks Rockwell Table and Stage in his LA Solo Cabaret Debut

On Monday August 29 actor/singer Kurtis Simmons made his solo cabaret debut at Rockwell Table and Stage to a SRO crowd of adoring fans and well-wishers. Simmons is no stranger to Los Angeles audiences, as he has appeared onstage in such popular shows as Forever Plaid and premiered his musical Hipster Sweatshop at Rockwell in the company of co-creators Kyle Puccia and Darryl Stephens, in May of this year. But, there is something special about a solo show. As good as a performer is - and Simmons is very good indeed with a phenomenal voice - there's always that question, "Can he carry a show by himself?" The answer is a resounding "Yes!"

First of all there is an affable charm about the guy that just doesn't quit. He is warm, friendly, and as much as I hate to use the word 'cute', Simmons has a boyish quality that reminds you of yourself at a very young age. Older than he appears, he has the enthusiastic approach of a teenager who dares to be different and never fears the consequences. Starting about ten minutes late, he said with a straight face and throwaway delivery, "I'm sorry. I was upstairs playing Pokemon." It's this type of self-deprecating sense of humor that wins him to the audience. Or, "If you come by Park LaBrea, I'll throw you a concert every day." Simmons' CD Fraction of a Thread*, released in 2014, formed the basis for the concert as well as songs from Hipster and a couple of others thrown in for good measure. Simmons is a songwriter, and he and Puccia have worked together ardently for several years creating the kind of pop/rock tunes that are contemporary yet melodic enough to pull in even the most traditional folks like me. I love Broadway and standard pop tunes, but I can appreciate these originals as they are created and performed with a love, passion and sincerity that is characteristic of all good songwriting.

When I reviewed the CD in 2014, I wrote: "Every once in a while an original pop album comes along that grabs you at the very top and just won't let go. Such is the case with Fraction of a Thread by Kurtis Simmons with its opening hit single the very haunting "I'll Breathe Later". 'OMG, it's another journey through pain and desolation', I thought, and then I heard the second song "Collecting Corks", and boy was I thrown for a loop. Certainly upbeat, melodic and highly unusual ... very much against the grain. In fact, so is the whole recording! Each new song is unpredictable in its style and rhythms. What a nice surprise! Remember Barry Manilow and "I Write the Songs"? Well, "Bout Time I Wrote a Song" could be Simmons' next hit tune."

In this concert Simmons highlighted nine of the album's songs including the above mentioned three. Highlights of other material were "Me Too" by Meaghan Trainor. With lyrics like "If I were you, I'd wanna be me too!", who can resist? Simmons acted out Trainor's lyrics as if they were his very own. I loved the opener by Panic at the Disco"Victorious", and Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down" which he performed in the center of the room. His stage experience was put to excellent use, as he knows how to cover every inch of the space and to move freely in dance, which reminded me of me alone in my bedroom as a teen dancing to the strains of the Beatles or Elvis. Showing how comfortable he is in his own skin by gyrating in full public view is something I truly admire, as I could only do it behind closed doors.

There was also a lovely ode to Melissa Manchester with "Midnight Blue". Simmons was picked by the legend from among thousands who had entered a contest by submitting a Manchester song recorded on video. Simmons was not a fan-favorite but Miss Manchester's personal choice as 'her favorite singer'. His prize was to sing live onstage at the Grammy Museum last winter with Manchester. What a thrill, and well deserved!

Simmons was accompanied in the 90 minute set at Rockwell by fine musicians musical director Sean Alexander Bart, Sean Hurwitz on lead guitar, Stefan Litrownik on drums and Vivi Rama on bass guitar. Beautiful Nicci Claspell and Jordan Kai Burnett provided great backup.

I am an admirer of real talent, and I will not miss Kurtis Simmons wherever he performs. I suggest you keep an eye out for this winner with a sterling set of pipes!

*Album may be purchased at:

iTunes & cd baby.

(photo credit: Lily Lim)

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