Column by Neal Newman
January 15, 2023
What a night it was! The concert has come and gone, but you can still witness some of the magic and hear the great music at www.concert4caleb.com/live-stream. Three producers, Gina Giachero, Megan O’Brien, and Grayce Carson, pulled together a fantastic performance of local artists headed by Broadway star Rob McClure. McClure was, as expected, terrific, but he did not attempt to steal from the less famous co-stars, all of whom shone brightly.
What were our favorite moments? I’ll start with my wife Karen’s vote. She loved Bryan Black’s rendition of I’m Not That Smart, from SPELLING BEE. Black captured this young contestant’s insecurities but performed with heartwarming professional assurance. My vote went to Megan Ruggles, who presented Times Like This, generally known as the “dog song” from LUCKY STIFF. Ruggles quietly and charmingly told that times are rough and a dog is truly your best friend. This was outstanding, and she didn’t belt.
Superstar Rob McClure proved to be an all-around triple threat who impressed us with a depth of characterization. He has just concluded a run Off-Broadway in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and, joined by Maggie Lakis, proved that even without the wig and glasses, Suddenly Seymour could be truthful, hilarious, and joyful. . McClure also presented a Mr. Roger’s Medley. If a Broadway producer wants a ROGER’S musical, he’s the guy.
There was a definite Disney flair to the evening. We thought the concert was to assist 6-year-old Caleb O’Brien, who was recently re-diagnosed with leukemia. He was stuck at home with his family and wasn’t allowed to attend, but he was watching a Livestream on television, and the performers made it a true concert FOR Caleb, performing many of his favorite songs. On the Disney List were numbers from DUMBO. MARY POPPINS, CINDERELLA, and HUNCHBACK. Since Caleb loves dinosaurs, performers were quick to make faces a growl into the camera.
Some of the local performers outdid the Broadway or film originals. Ben Michael’s rendition of Out There from HUNCHBACK and Nancie Sanderson’s Hold On from SECRET GARDEN were better than the original cast albums and also dealt with Caleb’s challenges.
A break in the music was provided by ComedySportz, which did a variation of the old game “Pull the Line,” but this time, the lines were suggested by the guest of honor himself.
Mention must be made of roof-raising power songs such as Don’t Rain on My Parade, sung by Rachel Brennan, and Dream Girl with Kyleen Shaw.
One particularly moving aspect of the evening was the support the young artists gave their fellow performers. They sat in the front row of the three-sided audience and applauded and cheered each other with genuine joy and appreciation. Theater is a cutthroat business; for this one night, it was a force for good.
If there was one hero in the show, it was Gina Giachero, who conducted from the piano a really “hot” band of Nero Catalano, Mike DiFebbo, and Jon Ball. Much of the event’s talent was gathered from the 11th Hour Theatre Company, which, though it is not producing currently, proved to be a wellspring of local talent.
New York has nothing on this area when it comes to talent. What a night. Donations are still being accepted at the original website, www.concert4caleb.com.