Cheyenne Jackson brings personal narrative to the stage at Judson’s Live
Cheyenne Jackson performed at Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday night, marking the debut of a “cabaret collection” at the Orlando venue. The TV and Broadway actor utilized the intimate setting to blend musical standards with candid stories from his life, including his upbringing in Idaho and his career transition into professional performance.
The performance featured a segment where Jackson read unflattering reviews between verses of the song “That’s Life.” Throughout the evening, Jackson maintained a focus on personal authenticity, utilizing the musical-theater anthem “I Am What I Am” to anchor his presentation. His setlist spanned various genres, including a jazzy rendition of “Something’s Coming,” the Elvis Presley track “A Little Less Conversation,” and a wistful take on “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”
Jackson shifts vocal range and performs with Staroba
Jackson’s vocal performance showcased his ability to shift between a high tenor and a deep, resonant baritone, particularly during his transition from Oleta Adams’ “Get Here” to the song “Besame Mucho.” He was accompanied by pianist Paul Staroba, who provided musical support throughout the set. Jackson also included an original song dedicated to his father and a surprise encore featuring a composition by Jason Robert Brown.
The show served as a retrospective of Jackson’s career, which includes Broadway roles in “All Shook Up,” “Xanadu,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Into the Woods,” alongside television work on “American Horror Story” and “Call Me Kat.” During his performance, he shared memories of his late co-star Leslie Jordan, incorporating an imitation of the actor into his storytelling.
Upcoming performances in the cabaret collection
The Dr. Phillips Center has scheduled additional performances for the remainder of the year as part of its new cabaret series. The lineup includes:
- Tony Danza, performing songs from the Great American Songbook at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on November 13.
- Isaac Mizrahi, presenting his show “A Holiday Fruitcake” at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on December 2.
These events will be held at Judson’s Live, located at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. Information regarding tickets and scheduling is available through the Dr. Phillips Center official website.
