Review: Norbert Leo Butz Kicks Off TR In Concert Series at Theatre Raleigh
Norbert Leo Butz is perhaps best known for originating the role of Fiyero in Wicked on Broadway. Now, nearly 20 years later, in addition to a successful Broadway career (some of his theater credits include Rent, Big Fish, The Last Five Years, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, for which he won a Tony Award), Butz is the proud creator of his own solo record, with a follow up EP to be released in August 2023.
As Butz performed at Theatre Raleigh as the TR In Concert Series kickoff event this weekend, he expertly navigated between the Broadway career that made him famous and the acoustic, folksy themes of his own music.
“I’ve done a little Broadway. I never meant to. It was a total accident.”
From the moment Butz stepped into the room, he filled it with stories of positivity and songs of hope and love. I must admit, it was a bit odd at first hearing this Broadway voice I have come to know singing soft country music, but Butz brought a grounding, authentic energy to his performance and pulled it off with ease. As he expertly played the guitar, his soulful voice brought songs like “Dear Hate” by Maren Morris, “Gold In Them Hills” by Ron Sexsmith, and “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton to life in a very honest way.
Butz also took the opportunity to sing some of his original songs, bringing those smooth, folksy, flowing melodies with him as he focused on the emotions and lyrical storytelling. He discussed the music he created with his daughter during the pandemic, and the pride on his face was palpable when he shared that she penned the lyrics to his new song titled “King of Hearts,” as well as two other songs on his new record. As Butz performed this song they created together, audience members around me were dancing in their seats to the jaunty melody.
“I’m from Missouri, so I grew up on this stuff,” Butz said when explaining the country roots in his music.
As Butz began the Broadway segment of his show, he invited Theatre Raleigh’s Producing Artistic Director Lauren Kennedy Brady to join him on stage. The pair described their friendship of 22 years and what it was like performing together when they originated the roles of Jamie and Cathy in The Last Five Years. As they sang together, they filled the room with beautiful and emotional authenticity, particularly in their number “The Next Ten Minutes” from The Last Five Years as they played off of each other’s comedic timing and enviable vocal talent. Butz’s euphoric fist pump when Kennedy Brady artfully hit the high notes was particularly adorable.
“That Jason Robert Brown…he writes it right up there, and stays there the entire show,” Butz joked, referring to the high notes found throughout the score of The Last Five Years.
As Butz transitioned into the works of Bruce Springsteen (“Atlantic City”) and Elton John (“Tiny Dancer”), it was not until the end of his show that he circled back to his time on the stage, eliciting cheers from his audience as he finally mentioned Wicked for the first time.
By now, my thoughts on Wicked have been well documented. It accidentally played a significant role in not only my artistic upbringing and theater background, but in my time as a theater writer as well. As Butz played on the knowledge that the crowd had been desperately waiting for him to mention Wicked, he began an endearingly cheeky, truncated version of “Defying Gravity.” Watching how proud he was when he hit the key change, I felt very humbled. I could have never guessed all those years ago in drama class that he would be standing in front of me, performing a piece from the production that has come to represent so much in my own life. Getting to thank him for creating something so impactful and lasting was a moment to cherish.
Next up in the TR In Concert series is Tony Award winner Rachel Bay Jones. Additional information and tickets can be found here.
All photos courtesy of Theatre Raleigh