Review: Norm Lewis Performs at Theatre Raleigh as Part of the TR In Concert Series

Norm Lewis has become synonymous with some of theater’s biggest hits. With a resume that includes the titular role in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Love Never Dies, and Porgy and Bess (for which he earned a Tony Award nomination), Lewis is the latest performer in the TR in Concert series at Theatre Raleigh as he shared stories and songs from his life and career during this one night only concert event. 

Lewis opened his show with a rendition of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Made famous by Julie Andrews and her infamous soprano, this was a surprising choice for Lewis’s deep baritone. But he performed it with such joy and cheeky changes to the original song that it was a perfect kick off to his theater-packed performance. 

“This is not a show, this is not a concert. This is a party. This is a good time.” 

This jovial energy was the theme of the night. From the moment he entered the stage, Lewis brought a sort of exuberance and excitement to the room. Combining stand-up-like humor with his impeccable vocal talent, Lewis managed to create an atmosphere that was warm and welcoming while still holding his audience captive in the palm of his hand. 

The first half of Lewis’s show paid tribute to the greats of music’s past, including a touching tribute to his childhood hero crooner Johnny Mathis and a rendition of Little Willie John’s “Fever.” Full of suave, jazzy undertones, Lewis had audience members snapping along to the beat in their seats. Playing off of audience reactions, Lewis exuded showmanship and confidence as he captured that endearing, crooner quality. 

The second half of the show focused on musical theater and songs from Lewis’s expansive career, including a rendition of “‘Til I Hear You Sing” from Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Slow and soft, Lewis finally got a chance to show off those infamous Phantom notes for the first time. 

That is, until he traded them for the rapid fire tempo of “Trouble” from The Music Man, reprising his role from the Kennedy Center’s 2019 production. He performed this notoriously difficult number with an admirable amount of charisma and humor, engaging his audience as the call and response section of the song got a surprising amount of participation. 

“This was theater rap before theater rap was cool. Let me stretch out before I get started.” 

But it was Lewis’s transition into the music of Les Misérables that proved to be his shining moment. Effortlessly switching to an almost regal sort of air, his rendition of “Stars” was a show-stopping moment of fierce passion and intensity before he smoothly began “Bring Him Home.” Singing arguably one of the most difficult male songs in musical theater, Lewis poured his heart and soul onto the stage, letting a moment of peace and calm wash over his audience like a comforting, well-loved blanket. 

“I coveted that song. Every time I was on stage as Javert, I was like ‘Ugh, why is that not my song?!’”

Lewis’s performance also included musical numbers from The Wiz and Side Show, each time with a story about the production’s profound impact on his life and career. 

But it was his story about finally earning the titular role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway that proved to be the most emotional moment of the night. He described coveting the role for 20 years after seeing Colm Wilkinson perform and finally becoming the first African American to play the role on Broadway. As an interesting side note, Wilkinson’s performance seems to have been the inspiration for many future Phantoms, including Ramin Karimloo. 

“I love that I’m this image or symbol of hope. I’m standing on the shoulders of Robert Guillaume, who was the first black man to take on the role when he starred in the Los Angeles production.” 

As the slow notes of “Music of the Night” from Phantom began, Lewis performed this legendary song with power and intensity as his audience listened with rapt attention. 

As many performers have done since the passing of Stephen Sondheim, Lewis ended his performance with a hopeful rendition of “No One is Alone” from Into the Woods. Since Sondheim’s death in 2021, several artists have chosen to conclude their shows with a touching tribute to his work, and Lewis was no exception, filling the room with a warm and wholesome energy. 

Feature Photo Credit: Courtesy of Theatre Raleigh

More information about Theatre Raleigh and future performances can be found here.