Orfeh and Andy Karl kick off the new season of Cabaret at The Commons on Thursday.
Photo provided
Grammy and Tony-nominated singers Orfeh and Andy Karl hardly are the only ones with powerhouse pipes in their New York City home.
Lucious, a long-haired Chihuahua, begins a cacophony of commotion once the duo known as Broadway’s power couple answer the phone.
“Yes, obviously the dog is very glad you’ve called,” said Orfeh, laughing at the barking.
The husband-wife duo, who met while in the cast of Broadway’s “Saturday Night Fever,” clearly have stirred their own bit of commotion among the stage and cabaret crowd, with sold-out shows at the nation’s best-known outlets, ranging from Feinstein’s 54 Below to Lincoln Center. And Columbus music fans can see precisely why at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, when they kick off the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s new season of the popular Cabaret at The Commons series.
They’ll perform with pianist Steven Jamail and backup singers Nikki Kimbrough and Tim Kodres. Though their ever-changing set list still is taking shape, they acknowledged that it will include such favorite elements as a Motown medley that is included on the duo’s disc “Legally Bound,” a play on the Broadway show “Legally Blonde” they were in. Those who have caught the couple’s musical clips online know that the two have a more pop-rock, bluesy, funk-style edge than most of the Cabaret artists visiting here.
Orfeh, who had the O’Jays (of “Love Train” fame) sing on her first album, blames them for part of that influence.
“They were great mentors,” she said. “I had the best teachers in the world. So I have no excuse not to have that kind of flow.”
Karl says the same about those who have guided him through a range of shows. That includes writer/actor Sylvester Stallone, who offered tips for his role in the stage version of “Rocky”; Bill Murray, who offered wisdom for his role in the stage presentation of “Groundhog Day”; and pop star Bryan Adams for the songs in Broadway’s “Pretty Woman.”
“I’ve certainly had some unique opportunities in this life,” Karl said. “And I’ve honestly tried to learn from every single thing I do. I just take all that in.
“And it makes me hungry to work with even more people. Because there is no Plan B.”
Karl’s perspective surfaced in response to what continues to motivate them after their substantial success in what can be a challenging industry for the uncertain or fragile. Orfeh has mentioned in more than one interview that she can see singing far into the future. And online videos prove she packs just as much energy onstage today as she did more than 30 years ago in 1991 with the pop hit/video “everyotherday” with the duo act known as Or-N-More.
“I used to sing that song a lot,” Orfeh said. “But I started to realize that I didn’t want to make Andy sing songs from Or-N-More.”
“Actually, I love them,” Karl interjected. “I wish she would do more. So, at this show, you just may hear one of them. I’m going to see what I can do.”
She promised a strong stage presence for Thursday.
“We like to come straight at you,” she said. “It’s almost like when you’re excited about giving someone a gift.
“And if I’m having fun, and Andy’s having fun and our band and our singers are having fun, then that feeling is infectious (for the audience). But we’re never self-indulgent.
“It’s about the audience. If we wanted to be self-indulgent, we could do that in our living room.”
Right there maybe with Lucious’ backup vocals.
About the cabaret show
Who: Broadway stars Orfeh and Andy Karl
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Information and tickets: thecip.org
