It's About Time: James Naughton in Cabaret

by David Anthony Fox

cabaret

Try to imagine Gary Cooper as a cabaret singer.

It's not easy to conjure, is it? We think of cabaret as an elite (even effete) art form. We certainly don't picture its champagne-sipping, tuxedo-clad performers crooning their repertoire of Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim, as -- shall we say -- the last word in machismo.

Enter James Naughton, and our preconceived notions fly out the window. Like Cooper, whom he physically resembles, Naughton fuses impeccable pedigree and dapper elegance with a man's man sexuality. Naughton is a graduate of Brown and Yale, and has played the American classics on many stages and in film. On the other hand, the tall, salt-and-pepper-haired hunk has batted his bedroom eyes in dozens of TV movies, where his tough, "you-and-me, babe" sexuality sets the ladies' hearts aflutter.

And (here's where the cabaret part comes in), Naughton has had some of his greatest career successes as the lead in Broadway musicals. He's a two-time Tony Award winner: for City Of Angels in 1990 and Chicago in 1997. His sexy eyes are matched by a chocolate-y baritone that can croon with the best of them.

Add Naughton's easygoing stage manner and a host of great songs and well, what more could you want?

Note that Naughton replaces the originally scheduled Tom Wopat (who is promised now for next season); also that four of the shows will be in the intimate upstairs space, while the remaining five -- including the Valentine's Day special -- are on the Prince's main stage.

It’s About Time: James Naughton in Cabaret, through Feb. 14, $40-$50, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.

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