Theater News

Julie Johnson: Where Broadway Meets Texas

Julie Johnson at Judy’s Chelsea = a little bit of country western heaven.

Julie Johnson
Julie Johnson

We first came across Julie Johnson when she was one of the stars of the cult favorite musical Das Barbecü (for which she received a Drama Desk nomination). A musical theater performer, she was on Broadway in Hal Prince’s Candide and most recently starred in the Schmidt/Jones musical Roadside at the York Theatre. Her cabaret performances have been few and far between, but the chance to hear this exceptional
singer-actress at Judy’s Chelsea in a show of her own creation is a chance not to be missed. Also not to be missed is a new musical director who’s come to town with Ms. Johnson: His name is Steve Barcus and he’s destined to be this year’s Johnny Rogers. Between them, Johnson and
Barcus put on an evening of sensational singing with a surprising spritz of comedy patter.

Their show is not without its modest problems, some of which can be attributed to opening night jitters. In any event, the flubs they made were handled with quick-witted ad libs and easy charm. Somewhat more problematic
is the peculiar placement of their material. The most glaring example is Johnson`s choice to sing a song about the loss of her father, “New Millenium” (Sonny Franks), as her encore. This is certainly a very touching work but it sends the message that her show is more of a personal indulgence than an entertainment for the audience. She might program the number more effectively in the middle of the show than at the very end.

Taken as a whole, this is a very enjoyable evening of cabaret that features quite a bit of fresh musical comedy material, including a cleverly written and emotionally pin-pointed number called “Phone If You Want To” (Sonny Franks) as well as a hilarious sendup of Dolly Parton singing “I Will Always Love You.” Happily, Johnson serves up musical drama as well. The high point of the show, in fact, is her performance of Carol Hall’s “The Bus From Amarillo” (from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas). All about the road not taken, it’s a searing song that ranks among Hall’s greatest achievements, and Johnson does it full justice.

Johnson has a voice that has the timbre of a cello, full of texture and sensuality. Actually, it might be more accurate to describe her voice as an entire string section–it’s that versatile and that beautiful. Her musical director, Steve Barcus, also has a stirring and dramatic voice. Their duets are among the most thrilling we’ve heard between a cabaret singer and his or her pianist. We’re looking forward to the chance to hear Barcus, who just moved to New York six weeks ago, perform in a show of his own. His arrangements of songs like “Little Girl Blue” (Rodgers & Hart) and “Everybody’s Girl” (Kander & Ebb) are both original and evocative.

Johnson sings a fair number of fine tunes by Sonny Frank, including one she co-wrote with him. The show also features music by Amanda McBroom, Bonnie Raitt, and others. The tilt of the show is toward a country western sound–Johnson is from Texas, and makes that very plain any number of times during the act–but her unusual mix of down home tunes with her musical theater sensibility makes for a unique and delightfully hybrid style.

Many of the songs in Johnson’s act are on her new CD, Julie Johnson: All Grown Up…So Far. We recommend both, but the chance to see Johnson and Barcus live is a special treat. You can find them at Judy’s Chelsea on July 8, 9, and 11 at 8:30pm.