REVIEW: HUGH PANARO Man Without a Mask at Crazy Coqs 7 - 9 September 2024

‘some of the loveliest of songs, in a series of stunning performances’ ★★★★★

Hugh Panaro is a Broadway legend, starring as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s PHANTOM at over 2,500 performances. He has not performed in the West End for 26 years since starring in SHOWBOAT in 1998, so it is thrilling to be one of the first to experience his solo debut at Crazy Coqs.

MAN WITHOUT A MASK is a highly personal insight into both Hugh Panaro, the man, and a look at some of the highlights of his career. Happily, he has chosen to showcase some of the loveliest of songs, in a series of stunning performances. His dramatic entrance from the back of the room with lights following him onto the stage really did announce that he has something special to share. He clearly has tremendous discipline, his voice so well trained, shows in the articulation of his facial muscles. The sound he delivers is rich, with a special kind of warmth, he can certainly hit those high notes and hold a note so beautifully, that it is simply perfection.   Of course such fine singing, needs excellent backing and he is accompanied by his musical director Joseph Thalken on the piano & Nick Laughlin on Bass. 

Hugh made his Broadway debut as Marius in the original production of LES MISERABLES.  His awards and his starring roles count far too many to mention here but it so true to say that he does have a gift for ‘lifting people out of their seats and onto their feet’.  Tonight Hugh performs a variety of songs from musicals as diverse as Somethings Coming from WEST SIDE STORY, Neverland from PETER PAN and Right Before My Eyes from LESTAT.   

He intersperses his songs with anecdotes about the shows which really helps to warm up the audience in preparation for the main highlights of the evening. Of course, he has a Sondheim story, which Broadway star would be without one, and there is a charming moment when Hugh addresses one of the songs to a past lover, now seated in the audience.   He also recounts the tale of auditioning for the role of Chris in MISS SAIGON before singing a number from the show, Why God, Why?   He didn’t get the role. A member of the audience utters “you should have got it” and that seems to be the collective feeling that we were all blown away by his rendition.     

This exceptionally gifted singer has worked with many leading ladies including Barbra Streisand and tonight is no different. Guest artist, Christina Bianco joins him on the stage allowing for two stunning duets. The second is A Little Fall of Rain from LES MISERABLES (sung as Eponine is dying) is enchanting. It’s fascinating to observe Hugh in this intimate setting. His exaggerated gently loving caresses so appropriate to grand stages and massive auditoriums, still resonates in this small space.

As Christina is an expert at imitation, the duets are followed by her singing in the voices of many artists from Bernadette Peters to Julie Andrews. More surprises follow when Hugh adds his own tributes to Judy Garland and Lisa Minelli. These fun moments are followed by the absolute pinnacle of evening, as Hugh sings The Music of the Night from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. It is a real delight to hear this sung up close and personal and not surprisingly people left their seat and got onto their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.   Hugh seems so modest and unassuming, even appearing at times to show the merest of nervousness, how charming and also how wonderful, that he clearly rises to the challenge of giving his best performance every time.

HUGH PANARO Man Without a Mask at Crazy Coqs at Café Zedal 7 - 9 September 2024

Box Office; https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs/

Joseph Thalken, Musical Director on piano & Nick Laughlin on Bass

Richard Jay-Alexander - Director