Alan Cumming @ Joe’s Pub 1/11/2010

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A weird and wonderful concoction of event commentary, splendid storytelling abilities, spot-on comedic timing, musical numbers from various stage productions and his debut CD, I Bought A Blue Car Today, Alan Cumming: Uncut was a night no one will soon forget. But, what else could be expected from an actor, singer, stage performer, writer, and director? Actually, a helluva lot!


Out the gate there were talks of foreskin; J-Lo’s ass; a comical recounting of his becoming a U.S. citizen in 2008; marrying his partner Grant in 2007; and the fast and misinterpreted times spent with British sensation Mika. And that was the first half-hour of the show.

Nevertheless, one of the best recounts happened in 1998 during his infamous Broadway revival of The Emcee in Cabaret. Mr. Cumming recalled that as a young Scot new to America he wasn’t fully conscious of American celebrity culture, which is why he didn’t recognize a particular personality in the audience – whom he was desperate to make laugh. Subsequently, after about 15 minutes of nothing from the “old bloke,” he finally pulls the guy from the audience to the stage – who was he? The late journalist and icon Walter Cronkite.


During the night, there were serious moments too. Mr. Cumming did mention his appointment of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), which is presented by the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace for significant contributions in film, theatre, arts and activism for equal rights in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. His retelling of how he received the award, however, pure comedy!

Even so, backed by a multi-instrumental band (pianist, cellist/guitarist, and guitarist/drummer), Uncut was no-more than a mini stage production splicing music, comedy, cheekiness and wicked, wicked energy. Bravo.

ND McCray

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