Broadway star Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Rent) treated fans to a sensational evening of song as Upright Cabaret presented Eden Espinosa: Me to a wildly cheering, sold-out audience-under-the-stars at the Ford Amphitheatre.

The Anaheim native, whose long run in Wicked at the Pantages earned her legions of L.A. fans, has rapidly become one of the most exciting musical theater performers to emerge in recent years.  From her start as the first Elphaba standby in the original Broadway production of Wicked, Espinosa soon found herself starring on Broadway in the title role in Brooklyn.  Not long after that, she took over the role of Elphaba on Broadway and later in Los Angeles, and most recently portrayed Maureen in the final Broadway cast of Rent.

Possessing one of the most thrilling voices in the biz, Espinosa proved her star quality at the Ford with an exciting, powerful set of covers in an altogether superb performance, directed by Broadway great Billy Porter.

Opening for Espinosa was Upright Cabaret favorite, singer-songwriter Audra Mae.

The native Oklahoman started things out with a bang as she belted out “Without Music” (“I can’t imagine life without music”), backed by musical director/pianist Christopher Lloyd Bratten and his rocking band. A bluesy “Milk And Honey” (“not soy milk and Splenda,” she assured us) and “I’m Sorry” were followed by a sultry blues rendition of “Joey, Joey, Joey” (from The Most Happy Fella), recalling Audra Mae’s background in musical theater. Accompanying herself on guitar, Audra Mae sang a moving, unplugged “Sullivan’s Letter,” a song based on an authentic Civil War love letter written by a soldier to his wife, 7 days before his death in the Battle Of Bull Run. “He Don’t Kiss Me,” “Fool’s Gold,” and a powerhouse cover of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” concluded Audra Mae’s segment with a bang.

Following intermission, it was Eden Espinosa’s turn to shine, which she did (and then some!) in a performance themed “Lost love, Found love, Found me,” and dedicated to “getting rid of the bad men in your life and following your instincts.”  “You guys can always feel free to sing along,” she told her audience, adding with a smile, “Just don’t mess me up in the process.”

Backed by an 8-piece orchestra (violin, cello, and double base added for the second act), Espinosa treated her justifiably adoring fans to covers of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity,” Ike And Tina Turner’s “River Deep Mountain High,” Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You,” Eva Cassidy’s “I Know You By Heart,” Jeff Buckley’s “Lover You Should Come Over,” and 60s songwriting greats Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil’s “I’m Gonna Be Strong.”

Whether singing unplugged, with only the strings as accompaniment, or rocking out in full Tina Turner mode, or belting out a soulful rock ballad, Espinosa proved herself a singer at the top of her craft, each song earning extended cheers and applause.

Following an emotional rendition of Paula Cole’s “Me,” Espinosa introduced the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who performed a pair of her best songs, accompanying herself on the grand piano. “I Am So Ordinary” was described as “a song about a man I loved too much when I was a student at the Berklee College Of Music.” Then came “I Don’t Want To Wait,” the song which won her the Grammy and legions of fans from Dawson’s Creek’s five-year run, a song which Cole wrote for her grandfather “and it took wings and (she told the audience) you are required to sing it.”  Though brief, Cole’s segment was a reminder of the performer’s vocal and song-writing artistry.

Then it was back to Espinosa, who wowed the crowd with Beyoncé’s “Halo,” then brought tears to audience eyes with a tribute to Michael Jackson, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” duetting with special guest backup singer Ty Taylor. Backed simply by piano, violin, and cello, Espinosa sang Brooke Fox’s “O City.”  The “last song” of the evening was Brandi Carlile’s gorgeous “The Story,” though (not surprisingly) the standing ovation she received brought Espinosa back to sing a final pair of selections. Duetting with Audra Mae, Espinosa sang the former’s exquisite “Ruby Shoes” (“I can’t get home just by clicking my heels”) and finally (could she have gotten away without it?) Wicked’s “Defying Gravity,” its rock ballad arrangement making her signature song sound brand new.

Providing exceptional vocal backup for the evening’s artists were Debby Holiday, Nicole Marie Poynter, Kenna Ramsey, keyboardist Jake Simpson, and Taylor.  Completing the band were Peggy Baldwin (cello), Aron Forbes (guitar), Matt Lucich (drums), Jonny Morrow (bass), Nick Perez (guitar), and Kathleen Robinson (violin).

Upcoming Upright Cabaret shows include The Music Of Scott Alan (August 10 at Vermont), Stephen Schwartz: Making Good (August 23 at the Ford), and Upright Cabaret: Escape To Catalina 2 (September 5 and 6 at Avalon’s The Country Club).

Eden Espinosa: Me (the second of three “Wicked” Summer Nights at the Ford) made for an unforgettable evening of music, and one of 2009’s most exciting concert highlights. Kudos to producers Chris Isaacson, Shane Scheel, and all concerned!

Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood.
www.uprightcabaret.com/events

--Steven Stanley
July 24, 2009