Review of ‘Hugh Panaro – Man Without A Mask’: “Sweet intoxication”

The acclaimed Broadway legend returns to the West End scene for the very first time in 26 years, in an intimate cabaret concert playing at The Crazy Coqs for 3 nights only.  Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this London scene reunion with the musical theatre star featured all he asked of him.

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you... Even though thousands of voices have uttered such haunting lines all across the world’s stage, very few have captured its charm and elevated in a way they can reclaim its power as their very own. Hugh Panaro’s extensive career on the Broadway scene has secured him a fair position as an industry’s long-standing legend. The list of credits behind his almost 5 decades treading the boards gives grounds to that statement. However, it’s his almost record-breaking time as the two-faced king of the Great White Way that ensures its validation. 

But much as his stay in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-hit has guaranteed his endurance in the archive of 42nd street, hardly ever are fans presented with such a solid opportunity to go beyond the character’s myth – and experience, in such an intimate and pure form, the man and talent behind it. Last weekend, the West End welcomed Panaro’s first-ever return under the London spotlight in 26 years – introducing audiences to a musical journey based on both his personal and professional path, and taking them on a ride inspired by dreams and founded on his absolute performing prowess.

Presenting a repertoire shaped after the big showtunes that defined his story in the realm of musical theatre, the concert reaffirmed Panaro’s place as an utmost leading man – flaunting his intense energy and passionate commitment to every number, word and note he conveys, while also boasting impressively robust, melodious and, all in all, flawless vocals all the throughout. Structured with good narrative pacing, as he creates a bosom atmosphere through the friendly naturalness of his anecdotes, the whole piece works with extraordinary ease – resulting in a most refreshing experience where sentiment, artistry and entertainment blend altogether in perfect harmony.

The overall excellence of his rendition is sufficiently matched by guest star Christina Bianco, regaling us with one of the most amusing excerpts of the entire gig, as she exudes great flair and showmanship skills through her multi Broadway diva impersonation – whose spotless proximity is nearly frightening.  On the other hand, the emotional force of A Little Fall of Rain serves as possibly one of the biggest highlights of the evening – effortlessly capable of take the breath and speech out of every viewer through the gravitas of its truthfulness.

Yet, the fantasy is only consolidated by the very end of the concert, as the work that could admittedly be regarded as his signature theme takes the final stand. Hardly over, as its lyrics prophesied, the music of that night keeps lingering in our minds, as the reverie we’ve been put through continues to pop up as the memories of those rare, one-of-a-kind jaunts whose uniqueness becomes a treasure we can’t let go of. Sure,  the lighting could have been more efficient, and maybe the bass didn’t bring along too much through those arrangements. Yet, none of it compromises the brilliance of a show that, despite (or maybe because) its reduced size and run, is destined to last forever in our hearts. In the almost exact words of his great finale, he alone can make his songs take flight.

Hugh Panaro – Man Without A Mask plays at London’s The Crazy Coqs until 9 September. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara