The Patter Boy

On Saturday, October 10, the newly enlarged Wharton Center (at a cost of $18.5 mil) had its grand opening featuring pianist/singer Michael Feinstein.

First a word about Wharton. The new face of the 27-year-old hall looks beautiful, although most of the additions will not be seen my the majority of the concert going public. The administrative offices are greatly expanded, but so are the backstage areas, dressing rooms, green room and donor entertaining areas. The rest of us get to see the lovely ticket space and the massive gift shop - which are great.

The Great Hall and its lobby have not been changed, and they look a bit shabby next to the opulence of the newly restored areas. I am sure the main concert hall will be refurbished soon.

Now for Feinstein. I felt the publicity for the Feinstein show did give the full story. Anyone who knows Michael Feinstein knows his performing style, and there was nothing from Wharton to expect anything different.

Michael Feinstein always appears by himself, alone with his trusted Steinway grand. He sings the songs of Gershwin and Berlin, et al, in his lovely tenor voice, sitting at the keyboard with his head turned toward the audience.

For this show, dubbed "The Sinatra Project", the perky Feinstein appeared on stage in front of a 17-piece kick-butt big band. I've rarely seen him without the piano on his lap.

This was a different Michael Feinstein. The Wharton concert program made no mention of the band, let alone the brilliant arranger and band leader, Bill Elliot. However, the band was so superb that I was often pulled away from the headliner just to listen to this terrific, highly professional band.

But even though Feinstein was in an unfamiliar space, he always knows how to please an audience. He has the best patter of any performer I know. The crooner tells wonderful, memorable stories and his charming manner makes you think that he sincerely wants to be here to entertain you.

At 52 years old, Feinstein still has a boyish appearence that is engaging and endearing. Also, he has a wonderfully light voice, that gives the Sinatra canon a sincere quality it never had before.

So, it was hard not to be enchanted by the concert, even though it was something that no one really expected.