Stage Rush TV: Episode 55
Talking points:
- Douglas Hodge opens cabaret act at Cafe Carlyle
- Stephanie J. Block fans—Douglas Hodge has some news for you
- American Idiot sets closing date; will have accomplished a year on Broadway
- Will a four-day Memphis theatrical release accomplish much?
- Broadway Grosses
What do you think, Rushers? Do you want to see Douglas Hodge’s Meantime come to a New York stage with Stephanie J. Block? Do you think Memphis‘s brief movie release will make an impact on audiences? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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Blues and broken bones: Douglas Hodge says Café Carlyle show is “quintessential New York experience”
Douglas Hodge has just finished his first Café Carlyle concert and all he wants is a beer. “Stella, a Pilsner—it doesn’t matter,” he says. After burning through 17 songs in an hour, a guy deserves a cold one. If the number of songs isn’t enough to impress, consider that Hodge accompanied himself on piano and guitar—all with a broken wrist, which he acquired while playing with his 11-year-old son. “It’s hard,” Hodge said of the injury. “It’ll hurt in about 10 minutes time.” After departing La Cage aux Folles in February, for which he won a Tony Award, Hodge is making his cabaret debut at Café Carlyle, appearing through March 26. Following his opening-night performance on Tuesday, Hodge sat down with Stage Rush to talk about his music style, his most memorable live concerts, and missing La Cage.
(Read the concert recap of Douglas Hodge’s opening night at Café Carlyle)
What do you think about the musician side of Douglas Hodge, Rushers? Will you catch him in his Café Carlyle engagement? Do you miss him in La Cage? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and remember to tune into Stage Rush TV this week for more of our interview with Hodge.
Follow Stage Rush on Facebook and Twitter for on-the-go updates.
Concert recap: ‘La Cage’ Tony winner Douglas Hodge at Café Carlyle
Douglas Hodge can’t get enough of New York. And why shouldn’t he? Last April, the Brit made his Broadway debut as Albin in La Cage aux Folles and ran away with a Tony for the role two months later. Last month, Hodge played his final performance in the show, and after a short return to the UK, he’s back in New York and making his cabaret debut at Café Carlyle. In his opening performance Tuesday night, Hodge burned his way through 17 songs in an hour of blues, folk, and musical theater.
Hodge’s English accent melted away during his opening number of Frank Sinatra’s “The Best Is Yet To Come,” sounding surprisingly like Ol’ Blue Eyes. He excellently merged the Sinatra standard with “The Best of Times” from La Cage, the two songs sounding as if they were meant to be together. Hodge then jubilantly welcomed the audience and introduced his band saying, “Tonight, we’re going to play as we’ve never played before… together.”
(Check out Douglas Hodge’s post-concert interview with Stage Rush)
Before beginning his next song, Hodge spoke about his last gig—La Cage—and returning home for a short vacation. “I just returned from England, where some people still remember me as a man,” Hodge quipped. He then took to the piano and sang Stevie Wonder’s “All In Love Is Fair” with great soul. Read more 
Stage Rush TV: Episode 26
Talking points:
- Duncan Sheik plays second show at City Winery
- It’s official: Jennifer Damiano will play Mary Jane in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
- Broadway in Bryant Park ends with American Idiot and La Cage aux Folles
- Broadway grosses
What do you think, Rushers? Are you prac-ti-ca-lly per-fect? Did you catch Duncan Sheik’s concert at City Winery? Do you think he should continue with the covers or return fully to performing his solo work? Are you on board for Jennifer Damiano joining Spider-Man? Did you see the finale of Broadway in Bryant Park? Which week was your favorite this summer? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below!