Review: Carmen Cusack is the Latest Performer in the TR in Concert Series at Theatre Raleigh
As per usual, Theatre Raleigh has managed to create a homey, bluesy, elegant jazz club in preparation for its TR in Concert series, this time with Broadway performer and two time Tony Award nominee Carmen Cusack. When coupled with pre-show lounge performers, moody table lighting, and a welcoming, wholesome feel, Theatre Raleigh's new renovations continue to make it a thriving arts hub here in the Triangle.
Cusack kicked off her concert-style performance with music from shows that have made her career, including “Way Back in the Day” and “If You Knew My Story” from her Broadway debut production of Bright Star. As she effortlessly flowed from one song to the other, Cusack stepped into the audience, inviting them to take a ride to the past with her. Building in passion, Cusack’s throaty vibrato is like a sweet treat - delicious, delectable, and over far too soon.
Cusack (center) in the world premiere of the Bull Durham musical (photo courtesy of Theatre Raleigh)
Cusack is no stranger to Theatre Raleigh, having starred as Annie Savoy in the world premiere of the new Bull Durham musical last year. A crowd favorite now making its way to Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey later this year, Cusack brought Annie’s fiery gumption back to the Theatre Raleigh stage with numbers like “The Church of Baseball” and “The Damndest Season,” this time with a little personal flair. For those unlucky enough to have missed the Bull Durham run, “The Church of Baseball” ends with those words we hear before every game: and the home of the brave. To quote my plus one for the night, “If only they had someone that could sing like her at the start of real baseball games.” And they were right - Cusack’s riffs alone were worth the price of admission and then some.
But Cusack’s skill as a performer isn’t just in her vocal talent. With a bubbly charisma, Cusack brought the stories of her life and career to the stage with a charming ability to laugh at herself and connect with her audience. This proved to be especially true as she brought out an array of original songs and played them on the guitar. She introduced the first one with a story about being asked to perform in a livestream concert at the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“I thought, what song do I want to start with? How do I address the elephant in the room? Oh heck, I’ll just write one.”
As she launched into a song about theater and the arts pushing away the bad, and allowing time to stop, she coincidentally proved my point about theater being life’s intermission - a moment to pause and let the bad slip away as we bring light and joy to the world, if even for just a moment.
Now, normally, I am a theater purist. Classic songs the audience is singing along to in their heads? That means classic riffs the audience has come to know and love. But Cusack’s rendition of Les Miserables’ “I Dreamed a Dream” might have changed my mind, even if only temporarily. Would I have ever paired it with Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide?” Not even for a second. But with Cusack’s deep, rich, soul touching vocals and a slightly bluesy twist, the two flowed as effortlessly as if they had been written as one.
The second half of Cusack’s performance continued with more original songs and renditions of music from Bright Star and Bull Durham, complete with a kick-butt piano solo, and a surprise kazoo performance in a jaunty song written in honor of her husband. Her love and affection for these stories and characters was palpable as she shared her memories with an endearing cheerfulness and her signature big-belty passion.
More information about Theatre Raleigh and future performances can be found here. Next up in the TR in Concert series is Ali Stroker on May 17, 2025.
Feature photo courtesy of Theatre Raleigh