Jonathan Whitton: Perfect Finite

Think of a young Tommy Tune re-imagined by Picasso, and that might be your first impression of Jonathan Whitton, as it was mine.  With an ease and surety that belies his angular gait, he steps up to the microphone and lets his gentle wit enchant an eager audience.  Possessing a clear tenor voice and a well-enunciated, intelligent way with a lyric, he quickly ingratiates himself with a savvy New York sensibility and a good dollop of Southern charm, most notably in his interpretation of “Lazy Afternoon.”  Simple, wry, almost seductive.

Skillfully accompanied on piano by Tamra Stephenson, he begins with “Watching The Show,” and works his way through a series of modern story-songs, the best of which are “Wicked Little Town,” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, “He Never Did That Before,” from Songs From An Unmade Bed and Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.”  And just when you start longing for a little more hummable melody, he fills the bill with a Sondheim medley of “Good Thing Going” and “Not a Day Goes By.”  I kept hoping he’d complete the arc and show off his dancing skills with a simple soft shoe like “Once in Love with Amy.”  Maybe next show.

Perfect Finite is a compact, well thought out and entertaining cabaret show that exhibits Jonathan Whitton’s slightly offbeat personality and considerable skills to their best advantage.  It’s worth spending an hour at the Laurie Beechman to get to know him.  You won’t regret it.

August 19, 2007