Nick Cordero Shines at Feinstein’s/54 Below

Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero (Bullets Over Broadway) made his solo concert debut at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Best known for staring in Broadway’s A Bronx Tale, Waitress, and Toxic Avenger, the award-winning actor’s set list was an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, latin, blues and rock & roll.

Starting out with the funky “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie, “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder and “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente, the audience pumped up with an electrical current. These were all smart choices as the lighting brought us back to the disco era. During the entire concert we learned in details about this this Latin Canadian, as he revealed his upbringing and shared the secrets of his life with us.

Bringing up his first guest Kathryn Gallagher (Spring Awakening, Jagged Little Pill), the two launched into a duet of “If I Ain’t Got You ” by Alicia Augello-Cook.

A fabulous arrangement of “What A Wonderful World” by George Weiss, Robert Thiele, a slick styling of Christopher Martin and Guy Berryman, Jonathan Buckland and William Champion Politik followed.

Drew Gehling (Jersey Boys, Waitress) and Zach Braff (Bullets Over Broadway, “Scrubs”) joined in a lively “You Matter To Me” by Sara Bareilles.

Giving his audience slices of his career, the show that brought him to attention Toxic Avenger: The Musical brought back his original co-star Sara Chase for “Hot Toxic Love” by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro.

“Ain’t Nobody’s Business” from Bullets Over Broadway and “One Of The Great Ones” from A Bronx Tale by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, ended off the songs from shows that showed off Nick’s talents. Chazz Palminteri was in the audience to cheer on his star.

Finishing off this sensational night “The Men That Drive Me Places” by Benjamin Rector,” Break It Down Again” by Alan Griffiths and Roland Orzabal and a guitar playing Nick on Brandi Carlile, Phillip Hanseroth and Timothy Hanseroth The Mother had the audience on their feet.

Accompanied by musical director Michael J. Moritz and a sizzling hot band, that consisted of Bass:Larry Cook, Guitar: Kenny Brescia, Percussion: Marcos Torres, Drums: Billy LaGuardia this show was so well put together. Also backing Nick was a wonderful trio of singers.

Nick Cordero’s show was polished, electric and inviting. This was Nick;s first cabaret act and we seriously hope this won’t be his last.