As the winter season approaches, nothing warms the heart more than a New York Pops concert at Carnegie Hall. On this sparkling evening, The Pops treats us to a varied songbook featuring the handsome, expressive lyric baritone Max von Essen. Von Essen has been singing his way across stages for almost 30 years, most notably as Henri Baurel in Broadway’s 2015-2016 run of An American in Paris, for which he received Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Von Essen can currently be heard as Billy Flynn in Kander and Ebb’s Chicago, the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
Before von Essen takes the stage, The New York Pops treats the audience to its first of three overtures, from Finian’s Rainbow. I relish each phrase, recalling the movie in my childhood; I loved to sing “Look to the Rainbow” at the top of my lungs while mowing our enormous backyard lawn, thinking no one could hear me. But I digress.
The overture gives us an appetizer of “Old Devil Moon,” then von Essen bursts onto the stage in an easy, confident manner donning a trim, fitted suit and gives us the full version.
Declaring himself “too nervous to talk, let’s keep singing,” von Essen continues with “Tu vuò fa l’americano,” followed by the more accessible “I Have Dreamed” (The King and I), his voice as warm and golden as a bowl of honey perched on a sunny windowsill.
Von Essen follows with a tender and romantic “Fly Me to The Moon,” including the less famous opening verse, accompanied by special guest singer, songwriter, arranger Billy Stritch, who peels out a beautiful interlude on the keys.
Von Essen shares some humorous anecdotes about shows he’d wished he could have been in but for which he wasn’t a good fit, but he declares he was made for Les Misérables, destined to be the perfect Éponine. He then offers up a dramatic and powerful “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from the cherished musical.
The New York Pops holds an annual fundraiser during which they sell a guest conductor spot, and going off script, charismatic music director and conductor Steven Reineke introduces guest conductor Richard Weitz, who waves his way through “Strike Up the Band,” before the Pops gives us dreamy “Prelude No. 2” (George Gershwin, arr. Nelson Riddle).
An epic An American in Paris medley follows for von Essen (arr. Fred Barton) which includes a jubilant “I Got Rhythm” and an effortless “Stairway to Paradise”.
Act II reveals delightful overtures from South Pacific and Judy at Carnegie Hall by the Pops, and von Essen, in a smart white jacket following later in a sleek black velour, segues into a soaring “Some Enchanted Evening” and a giddy “The Trolly Song” (Meet Me in St. Louis) couple with a visceral “Gotta Have Me Go with You” (A Stars is Born, arr. Adam Podd) after each.
The evening also includes “Almost Like Being in Love” (with Stritch, Brigadoon), “The Man That Got Away (A Star is Born), and von Essen at his most magnificent with a commanding “Being Alive” (Company). Surprise guest Gabrielle Stavelli gave us shine and sequins with “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
One of the most gratifying moments of the evening has von Essen sharing his unique and beautiful version of “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” (Evita),
showing off his most exquisite falsetto; it is a most happily received reprise from his performance in The New York Pops Underground at 54 Below.
Von Essen ended the evening with a tearful and affecting declaration of thanks to his parents, who were in attendance. “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” he asks, pointing to them; he’s met with rousing applause and a standing ovation after he sings “I Am Your Child”. He’s not the only one crying by the end of the song.
One Night Only: An Evening with Max von Essen
The New York Pops
Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium
161 W 56th Street, in Manhattan
For more information about New York Pops, visit https://newyorkpops.org/
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