No one can ever accuse Darius de Haas of phoning in a performance. Au contraire. When this singer (or "interpreter," as he prefers to call himself), is on stage, he performs as if his life depends on it. Nowhere was his tremendous, artistic, work ethic more evident than this past Friday evening when he opened his show, Broadway And Beyond, at the Cabaret at the Columbia Room.

Having appeared on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Carousel and Rent, de Haas is also known for his Obie-winning performance in [Running Man] off-Broadway. As a concert and cabaret artist, de Haas has performed tributes to Billy Strayhorn and Stevie Wonder and has appeared in major halls and clubs here and abroad. Also a recording artist, the Chicago born de Haas' solo debut CD is entitled, Darius de Haas: Day Dream, Variations on Strayhorn.

Performing with an exuberance that was infectious, de Haas was accompanied on piano by James Sampliner, (an Indiana University School of Music graduate). Performing together with an intensity that was palpable, they brought the July heat inside the staid old Crystal Terrace in front of near-capacity audience that was enthusiastic and highly vocal in its appreciation of the duo.

Opening the first set with "Mr. Paganini-You'll Have to Swing It," with lyrics by Ella Fitzgerald, De Haas, showed off his musical pedigree (his father is bassist Eddie de Haas and mother, Geraldine Bey de Haas, a jazz singer) with scat singing that clearly displayed his ease with and talent for the genre. Later he also sang Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" which solidified his jazz credentials.

Further showcasing his versatile vocal abilities and exceptional range with Broadway and Off-Broadway offerings, de Haas sang "So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard," from The Wiz, "Somethings Coming," from West Side Story, "Hero and Leander," from Myths and Hymns the Musical, and "Lost in The Wilderness," from Children of Eden.

Throughout the show, de Haas shared stories about his background, why he chose each song, and their relevance to his career. Doing so in a manner that was warm and sincere, he created intimacy and an instant rapport with the audience. During the second set, de Haas focused on the music of singer songwriter Stevie Wonder, whose repertoire de Haas said should be regarded as newer volume of the Great American Songbook.

Moving with non-stop, unrestrained, joy during most of the entire second part of the show, de Haas sang some of Wonder's greatest hits which included, "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," "Isn't She Lovely," "Tell Me Something Good," a particularly touching arrangement of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," and "Don't You Worry About a Thing." De Haas' interpretation of Wonder's songs revealed an understanding and appreciation for the icon's music that went beyond mere tribute and was more akin to pure reverence---a sentiment that seemed to be shared by many in the audience for whom his music, no doubt, inspired nostalgia.

By Tom Alvarez, July 13, 2010