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Melissa Etheridge. Photo Credit: Jenny Anderson
Rock singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge performed her “Melissa Etheridge: My Window” show on Broadway.
This limited nine-week residency takes place at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City. Kate Owens performed the role and various duties of “The Roadie.”
Act I
Etheridge began her first act with “Like the Way I Do,” where she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar as fuchsia lights dimmed from the stage. “Sometimes, I feel that song is very dramatic,” she admitted. “Drama has been a big part of my life, from day one, since I was born.”
“Hello, I’m feeling good, I feel like telling you a story,” she told the crowd, prior to delivering a stirring rendition of “Ready To Love” on the piano.
“Music was a big part of my life,”” she acknowledged. “It was crazy about the guitar, and I love the piano.” She noted that she taught herself how to play the piano, especially since the chord arrangements of the piano were similar to those of the guitar.
“Juliet” featured a Boston backdrop, while “Twisted Off to Paradise” had a psychedelic background, and Etheridge went into the audience, and she interacted well with the fans.
She performed the haunting “Nowhere to Go” on the piano, which was a harking and controlled performance, while “On Broadway” was more upbeat featuring vibrant colors on stage.
Etheridge listed such artists as her biggest musical influences as The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Crosby, Stills & Nash, all of which were known for their memorable acoustic rock music.
She continued with the nonchalant and flirty “Meet Me in the Back.” Etheridge revealed that in 1988, she scored a record deal at 27 years old. It was all thanks to Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records who signed her to a recording contract, and told her that “the future of rock and roll has a female face,” and rightfully so.
An Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning artist, Etheridge closed the first portion of her show with her debut single, “Bring Me Some Water,” which became a smash Top 10 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts.
Act II
After a brief 15 minute intermission, Etheridge returned for the second act with “Chrome Plated Heart,” and it was followed by an expressive and rousing rendition of “I Want to Come Over” as she also told the history behind the latter hit song.
The Kansas native dedicated the piano-laden “Talking to My Angel” to her late father.
She went on to perform “I’m the Only One” with maximum soul, displayed her sultry and husky vocals. This song garnered her a tremendous round of applause.
In “Open Your Mind,” she opens up about her “heroic dose,” and she continued with a noteworthy cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart,” where she paid homage to her musical influence Janis Joplin.
Etheridge played drums and piano on “This War Is Over,” which had a spiritual vibe to it.
She closed her set on an emotional note with a powerhouse version of “Here I Am Again,” which really tugged at the heartstrings, and earned her a lengthy standing ovation. It was followed by a video montage that was dedicated to her late son, who passed away due to opioid addiction.
Overall, it was a moving tribute to her son, and there was not a dry eye in the venue after that somber performance.
She revealed that the year Beckett died, she started the Etheridge Foundation to support research into new treatments for opioid use disorder.
“Thank you so much for helping me heal,” Etheridge told her audience, effusively.
This was a show about a woman’s pursuit to find happiness, peace, and serenity in her life. The dynamics and relationships between her parents and family is also explored in this Broadway event.
Encore
For her encore, Etheridge returned on stage and treated the audience to her signature tune “Come To My Window,” which was a true crowd pleaser as everybody was reciting the lyrics verbatim and belting out the chorus from the top of their lungs.
The Verdict
Overall, Melissa Etheridge’s “My Window” show was superb from start to finish. She was able to take her audience on a musical journey with her as she performed hits from her iconic catalog. It was a true theatrical experience along with a high-adrenaline rock concert.
She was able to showcase many facets of her artistry: her as a singer-songwriter, a mother, a fighter (with an indomitable spirit), and a breast cancer survivor; moreover, this performance was a celebration of Etheridge being 19 years cancer free.
Etheridge deserves to be commended for not mentioning the names of any of the people that she was in past relationships with in her actual show.
This show is living proof that Melissa Etheridge deserves to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the near future; if anybody has any doubts, all they need to see is a highlight reel of her performance at the Circle in the Square Theatre.
“My Window” is worth more than a passing glance. Her live show is honest, intimate, and raw, and it garners an A rating. Bravo.
To learn more about Melissa Etheridge, check out her official website.
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