The next interview in our stagey chat series is with David Rhodes. Following sold out shows in New York and Provincetown Massachusetts, David is bringing SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential to Crazy Coqs for one night only, marking its European debut.

Hi David, how are you doing today? Thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page! Would you mind introducing yourself to our readers and telling us how you first got into the music industry?

Hello! I’m doing extremely well and excited to come to London with SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential on April 16th. I think I knew I wanted to be an actor and singer when I was five years old. My parents took me to see the original Broadway production of Man Of La Mancha. It was the first of many musical adventures. I was mesmerized. When the stairs descended into the dungeon from the fly space over the stage I swore all of Medieval Spain was looming above. I wanted to be up there with those people in that magical light. And thus began my own impossible dream. I started performing myself as a very small child, about seven or eight years old, with The Children’s Repertory for Especially Talented Children at the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in New York. I made my official professional acting debut at twelve playing Oliver in summer stock and haven’t stopped since.

16th April marks the European debut of your sell-out show, SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential, at Crazy Coqs. Can you tell us what audience members can expect from the evening?

SOIR NOIR is a modern take, or better put a reimagining of the type of show you might see in a swanky nightclub in New York or Paris in the 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s. It’s a celebration of what is referred to as The Golden Era of Nightclubs, when artists like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Cluny and Lena Horne performed in formal dinner jackets and evening gowns for the cosmopolitan elite.

What encouraged you to create such an intimate evening that allows audience members to immerse themselves into music and nightlife decades past?

The songs from The Golden Era of Nightclubs are romantic and optimistic. It was a simpler time when connections were made at dinner parties and on moonlit walks, not chat rooms and dating apps. I’d like to create a respite, a kind of nostalgic oasis for the audience. The world is very complicated and scary right now. There is so much information and misinformation being hurled at us constantly. I wanted to create a space where the audience could decompress and give all that noise a rest for an hour and experience the joy, optimism and whimsy that this music has to offer.

How does it feel to be hosting the European debut at such an iconic venue like Crazy Coqs?

Crazy Coqs has a timeless ambiance. It’s my favorite London venue to perform in. The vibe there is already reminiscent of the Golden Era of Nightclubs. There is no fourth wall in Cabaret. You are in direct contact with the audience, and they are in contact with you. The audience becomes your scene partners. Crazy Coqs is so cozy. When I am onstage there it feels like I am having a musical conversation with friends in my living room. The room is very conducive to making real connections with the audience and supports the spontaneous flow of energy back and forth. It’s immediate and electric. I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it.

My blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?

Very interesting question. I’m dyslexic and therefore don’t read much. The words jump around the page and my mind wanders. In the theatre my concentration is rock solid. So as hard as it may be for some to imagine I would thumb through The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. I’ve seen all the plays and acted in many of them so I think I would be able to stick with each line of verse, stay focused and see the characters in my mind.

And finally, why should people book tickets to SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential?

The songs are iconic! Audiences in New York and Provincetown have embraced the show with standing ovations and rave reviews. I’m sharing the stage with London’s finest Musical Director Simon Beck and my life partner Jake Oswell, who will wow you with his amazing voice and stage presence. As you mentioned before Crazy Coqs is destination in and of itself. To pull a few lyrics from the great Cole Porter, I can guarantee you that spending the evening with me, Jake and Simon with be nothing short of Delightful, Delicious and De-Lovely!

You can book tickets to SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential, here.