By: Darryl Reilly
“I WAS HOOKED FOR LIFE!” gleefully roared Patrick Page, recalling experiencing Cyril Ritchard’s legendary portrayal of Captain Hook in the 1973 television rebroadcast of Mary Martin’s Peter Pan, at the age of 10. This reminiscence occurred during his dazzling cabaret act Good to Be Bad, where for 75 minutes he thrillingly depicted many of musical theater’s most iconic villains.
Opening with “Be Prepared” from The Lion King, Mr. Page commandingly went through the audience and onto the stage to begin this nefarious celebration. Page’s distinctive, deep. rich, expressive voice and charismatic presence were well matched by his dynamic band, consisting of musical director Dan Micciche on piano, guitarist Steve Bargonetti, bassist Saadi Zian, and drummer Perry Cavari.
Growing up Monmouth, Oregon, Page became president of the local chapter of the Dark Shadows fan club. 10 years after his theater professor and director father turned him down for a part in a revisal of St. George and the Dragon, he cast him as Fagin in Oliver!, where he found his calling. Sitting on a stool while wearing a large overcoat, he employed a British accent and demonstrative gestures while singing “Reviewing the Situation,” with gusto.
After touring as Lumiere in Beauty and The Beast for two years, it was on to Broadway as a replacement Scar in The Lion King. Surmounting behind-the-scenes politics, he triumphed in signature roles in the original Broadway productions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as the Grinch, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, as the Green Goblin. Concurrently while achieving success, he struggled with and overcame crippling clinical depression.
Other highlights of the show included a rocking “Sweet Transvestite” from The Rocky Horror Show, while wearing a black boa, a creepy Alice Cooper’s “Welcome to My Nightmare,” and a fast-paced “Money Medley” of songs from The Life, Cabaret, Urinetown, and Annie, displaying his range and virtuosity.
There was audience participation for “Captain Hook’s Waltz” where different sections were assigned lines to yell out. A microphone was given to an attendee, journalist Michael Riedel, who had exhaustively reported on the travails of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark for the New York Post. Mr. Riedel was also a fine Smee, and a pleasant foil during anecdotes about that show.
As the titular Sweeney Todd, Page was joined by his Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark co-star Isabel Keating as Mrs. Lovett, for glorious renditions of “My Friends” and “A Little Priest.”
Representing the last of the night’s villains was a number from the upcoming musical of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, where Page sang “Hellfire,” as the twisted curate Frollo. Undoubtedly, that will prove to be another grand showcase of his talent for evil.
Good to Be Bad: Patrick Page (one performance on January 28th, 2014)
54 Below, 254 W 54th St, in Manhattan
Running time: 75 minutes with no intermission