The Heart of Rock & Roll is Still Beating - On Broadway

On Sunday, Youthlarge, Amy, Dave, Jen, and I finally saw Chicago on Broadway. While I wasn't that happy spending 60 bucks on a ticket, I would not have been able to live with myself if I hadn't gone to see the show. And we weren't a day too soon because yesterday was Huey's last day.

After surviving the overambitious swarming female ushers, we settled into our seats for the show. The first moments were okay but where was Huey? I'd only seen the movie once and liked it a lot but this whole thing seemed awfully flat. It seems everytime I see a big show like this, the performances are so by rote that the performers could do it in their sleep. I don't know. I guess, Broadway musicals aren't my thing.

But then Huey appeared on the riser! Be still my beating heart! My whole posse turned to look at me to see how I was handling things. Just fine, just fine.

It was odd. I don't know the man but I felt quite nervous for him. What if he messed up or wasn't any good? What if he was out of his league? What if this was like that song on his 1988 album that everyone likes to make fun of called Bobo Tempo? But this would be worse because it was in front of a live audience? What if the rest of the cast were counting down the minutes until they could get a better actor on stage with them?

But all of my fears were allayed. As soon as Huey appeared, the biggest cheer thus far of the performance poured forth. With a big grin, Huey asked us if we were ready? I thought Chris Hayes and Johnny Colla were going to appear next to him and they'd jump off the riser together because, yes, we were ready for the News! But instead, Huey was Billy Flynn in a tux and he was great. How could he be otherwise? He's Huey Lewis and that man turns everything he touches into gold! Even when he dropped his cane in the second half, he was damn smooth.

Granted, he couldn't quite hit all of the notes and he seemed slightly miscast - more like the laid back good times uncle these days than the suave debonair cad that this character is supposed to be. But who gives a shit? It was Huey on Broadway. Between this and seeing him at the Bowery Ballroom a couple of years back, what will he do next to impress me?


For a video montage of his songs, check this out. Also, read this for a more in-depth review of Huey's performance from someone who randomly started commenting on my sister's blog about Huey. And I'm glad she did.

While I wanted to stick around and try to get a picture of Huey and me, Korean BBQ was calling our name so we left. Oh well, maybe when he plays Southpaw someday, I'll get that picture.

At dinner, I decided that I was going to write a musical about my other idol - Eddie Murray. At first, I couldn't think who I would cast to play Eddie. But then my sister came up with the obvious solution - Huey! There is nothing that man can't do including portraying a surly Hall of Famer. Plus, Eddie probably can't really hit those high notes anymore either so it will be perfect.

It might be about time for Huey to start his own blog. Hmmmm....

It is too bad that we didn't get to see Huey and Robin Givens together! Yowsa!