Until yesterday, I thought Ben Platt was a Broadway performer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I knew him as the performer who originated the lead role in “Dear Evan Hansen” which earned him a Tony Award. I knew he’d recently played the lead in “Parade” on Broadway, and that he’d just wrapped up a three-week residency at the Palace Theater in New York.
Last night, I learned a lot more about Ben Platt and was blown away by his talent. Platt was at the Providence Performing Arts Center, the second stop on his Honeymind Tour. The tour supports Platt’s third album, Honeymind.
It’s a big show. Pulling up to PPAC, I counted three tour buses and a tractor-trailer sitting next to the theater. Amazing lights, a huge staircase, two backup singers, a bass player, two guitarists – one of whom plays both acoustic and electric – a keyboardist, and a drummer.
Singer/songwriter Brandy Clark opened the show. She walked on stage quietly, without introduction, and said, “I’m Brandy Clark.” She plays an acoustic guitar. She calls her music Americana, and most songs come with a story.
“Who You Thought I Was” was inspired by John Prine, a country-folk artist. Clark told how Prine had walked on stage at an awards show to thunderous applause. When it died down, he said, “I’m John Prine, but I want to go back to being who you thought I was.” Clark said, “That’s a song,” and she wrote and recorded it.
One of her songs – “Follow Your Arrow” – was recorded by Kacy Musgraves. As Clark put it, it was the “lowest-charting song ever to win the CMA (Country Music Artists) Song of the Year.” It also turned out to be a crowd favorite last night.
Before the end of her set, Clark let it slip that she’d composed a Broadway musical. One that would launch its national tour from PPAC in October. The musical is “Shucked,” and Clark presented the two-and-a-half-hour show in a five-minute condensation.
Clark closed her portion of the show with “Dear Insecurity,” which won her this year’s Grammy for Best Americana Performance.
After an intermission, the lights dimmed, chimes sounded, a curtain rose to reveal a lit-up circular cut-out with a silhouetted figure standing in it. Then a spotlight lit up Ben Platt, who descended the staircase as his music ramped.
Platt displayed impressive vocal range throughout and quite a bit of theatricality. Some of the music was hard-hitting, some softer and ballad-like. With just a couple of exceptions, the songs were all Platt’s, many from his Honeymind album, with some from his first two albums, “Sing to Me Instead” and “Reverie.”
During one song, Platt invited people to dance with him. Many did. Others stood because the dancers blocked their view. He also invited people to sing along in spots. I was impressed by how many knew his music. These were definitely his people.
Platt presented a cover of James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” which allowed one of his guitarists and his back up singers to take center stage. His rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River” was touching and sweet.
Platt brought Brandy Clark back on stage to perform a duet of the song they’d written together called “Love is a Treehouse.”
And then Platt pulled out all the stops. Donning a white robe with faux fur trim, he presented an homage to a performer he “worships” – Liza Minelli. He belted out “Maybe This Time” and earned a standing ovation. “Thanks for supporting my decision,” he said as he tossed the robe into the wings.
Ben Platt’s The Honeymind Tour is thoroughly entertaining. If you get the chance, see it.
Photos by Frank O’Donnell