By Bart Greenberg***The enchanting Broadway diva, Melissa Errico, and the charming master of the keys, Billy Stritch, joined forces to celebrate the quintessential music of Barbra Streisand in their show Melissa Errico: Back to Barbra (With Billy Stritch), over five nights of concerts at 54 Below. Strong support came from Andy 
Ezrin on keys (who also provided some of the arrangements), bassist David Finck and drummer Eric Halvorson. Barbra-expert Steven Brinberg provided some guidance too, in a brief opening night duet with the star. The evening was well-paced, with a nice selection of songs unsurprisingly drawn from theater music and standards.
Errico is as beautiful and high energy as when she made her debut 30+ years ago, applying everything she has learned about performance in those ensuing years—utilizing the entire stage, sweeping back and forth, flirting, addressing every section of the sold-out house, and moving through the audience at times. Plus, that shimmering soprano is as appealing as it has always been. From her opening, a high-energy medley of “I’m All Smiles” (Michael Leonard, Herb Martin) and “Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” (Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane) to her haunting finale of 
“What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” (Michel Legrand, Alan & Marilyn Bergman), it was a smooth ride indeed.
While trying to define the difference between a tribute and a homage—applying the latter to her show, she explored the “Streisand effect” on all the pop singers that followed the diva. Errico was not overwhelmed by this effect, bringing her own touch to the moving calmness of “The Way We Were” (Marvin Hamlisch, Bergmans) and the erotic invitation of “Lazy Afternoon” (Jerome Moross, John Latouche). She would later bring a surprising freshness to “Send in the Clowns” (Stephen Sondheim), incorporating the revised lyrics the songwriter provided for her, utilizing all of her knowledge from years in the business. Quick, someone mount a revival of A Little Night Music for Errico!
Throughout, Stritch was right there with her, as music director, accompanist, back-up vocalist and solo 
performer—and just plain co-star. Contributing a funny story about almost meeting Streisand, and other wry observations, he was a welcome sidekick. And then, with his own solo, “Cry Me a River” (Arthur Hamilton), he proved what a brilliant performer he is in his own right.
Stritch’s solo also provided Errico a chance to change into a second fabulous outfit, a romantic gown. She blasted out with a jazzy and dazzling “Down With Love” (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg) and shimmered with the inevitable “Evergreen” (Barbra Streisand, Paul Williams). Errico also teamed up with guest Michele Johnson for a duet of the very tired tunes, “Happy Days Are Here Again” (Milton Ager, Jack Yellen) and “Get Happy” (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler), which still thrilled none the less. Without a doubt, someday some young singer will do a show about the Errico effect.
All photos by Michael Hull
