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Feinstein’s 54 Below
Broadway’s Supper Club
www.54below.com/Feinsteins
Presents:
Ronan Tynan, Tenor
www.ronantynan.net
Bill Lewis: Musical Director, Piano, Vocals
At
Feinstein’s 54 Below
254 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
Media: press@54below.com
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
August 2, 2016
Read Ronan Tynan’s Biography Here.
How thrilling it was, tonight, to hear Ronan Tynan’s larger-than-life tenor vocals emanate throughout Feinstein’s 54 Below, in exquisitely professional tone, warm, vibrant, and mature. This is a man who knows how to entertain a crowd, as the packed room was mesmerized and enthralled. Mr. Tynan, whose biography is linked above, is a master sportsman, physician, and brilliantly acclaimed tenor. He has sung at President Reagan’s funeral, at a White House Governors’ Ball in 2007, at The Belmont Stakes, at Yankee Stadium, and for the New York Police Department and New York Fire Department after September 11, 2001. A member of The Irish Tenors, Mr. Tynan has performed to grand accolades around the globe, in concert halls, festivals, and private benefits, recording and teaching along the way.
Mr. Tynan was joined by his longtime Musical Director, Pianist, and performance partner, Bill Lewis. Mr. Lewis not only accompanied on melodic themes and solo interludes, but he joined Mr. Tynan in vocal harmonies and even had a showcased tune here and there. During and in between songs, Mr. Tynan worked the house for rich laughter, as he’s such a seasoned raconteur. It should be immediately noted that Ronan Tynan is an endearing ladies’ man, generous of spirit and adored by his loyal fans, many of whom filled Feinstein’s 54 Below, a gorgeous club. The first tune was “Without a Song”, by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. Everyone was taken aback, as Mr. Tynan’s rich tenor rose to the rafters and enveloped the crowd. In this very spot, formerly the infamous dance hall, Studio 54 back in its heyday, we sipped wine and relaxed in the richly hued, red-brown-gold décor, taking in the reverberations of this operatic aura. “Moon River”, by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, included a romantic piano interlude and duo-harmonized refrains. Kander and Ebb’s “First You Dream” from “Steel Pier”, also sung in harmony, was filled with rapture and yearning.
Bill Lewis sang the Irish “Song of Wandering Aengus”, from the poem by William Butler Yeats, with smooth, refined tones. An understated soft-spoken musician, he was the perfect complement to the vivacious, sportive Mr. Tynan. “Fields of Gold”, by Sting, was sung by Mr. Tynan with poignancy and longing. I noticed a lovely echo on the room’s microphone, a resonant sound system. Mr. Lewis changed piano key, now and then, for effect. Mr. Tynan ended the tune in quasi a cappella. Before singing “Danny Boy” (Frederic Weatherly), Mr. Tynan joked that this was for the Italians in the room, some of whom may have known him for a charity event on Long Island, where he’d sung it before. Needless to say, it brought down the house.
“Smile” (Chaplin/Turner/Parsons) was Mr. Tynan's emotional tribute to friends in the room, while “A Flower in a Field of Stone” (J. Kelly) was sung by Bill Lewis about a visit to a cemetery. Mr. Tynan likes to quickly shift the room’s mood, so the next piece, “Hallelujah”, by Leonard Cohen, Mr. Tynan’s audition song for the musical “Shrek”, had the tenor working to bond the audience in a motivational way. Mr. Tynan’s original composition, “The Old Man”, a burly and dynamic piece, was preceded with anecdotes about growing up on a farm and meeting the young ladies in town for dates and romance. Mr. Tynan’s farm and family are intrinsically bound to his private and public persona. For a finale, Mr. Tynan chose Harold Arlen’s always beloved “Over the Rainbow”, which he sang after a rare, melodic introduction, stretching his powerful lyrics to existential, tonal height. Kudos to Ronan Tynan for such a marvelous vocal concert, and kudos to Bill Lewis for piano, song, and presence.
Ronan Tynan and Bill Lewis
at Feinstein's 54 Below
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Ronan Tynan and Feinstein's 54 Below Guests
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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