When we last spoke with Lena Hall, she was just launching her Obssessed series of EPs. She’s now coming to Los Angeles for one night only to perform her cabaret show Art of the Audition: From Falling Apart to Nailing the Part. The show takes place on May 17th at Catalina Bar & Grill.
In this show, which I saw in New York earlier this year, she performs many of the songs she chose (wisely and sometimes unwisely) to audition for parts in shows. It’s a thoroughly entertaining evening filled with performances of songs you know from some of Broadway’s best-loved shows. But you might be surprised at what age she chose to perform certain songs. You’ll also be surprised what songs she chose to perform for certain auditions.
For a taste of what you might expect, check out her appearance with Seth Rudetsky at his Broadway Chatterbox from 2014:
If you are expecting a rock show more in the style of her Tony-winning performance as Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, this isn’t that show. But for you rock fans, Hall has continued with her Obsessed series of EPs on Ghostlight Records. The most recent release showcases her renditions of four songs by Pink.
Previous releases have been focused on The Cranberries, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Hedwig. She will continue to release a new EP every month this year. And she told me she’s considering a second “season” of Obsessed.
Photo by Melissa Hall