The Music of Queen at Flat Rock Playhouse
It takes four vocalists to replace one Freddy Mercury. That’s one lesson of The Music of Queen, a Music on the Rock production now onstage at Flat Rock Playhouse. Lead vocalist Dustin Brayley — wearing a Queen T-shirt that reminds us he’s a fan, just like us — handles more than half the 20-song program and contributes to every number, while guitarist Ryan Dunn and bassist Eric Anthony step into the spotlight for several tunes.
Then there’s wild card Nat Zegree — a talented singer and pianist and Playhouse favorite, performing with the Rock’s frequent tribute band for the first time — who opens Act II with “Don’t Stop Me Now” and delivers a touching “Love Of My Life” from his keyboard. Ball of fire that he is, Zegree also adds some entertaining stage craft that’s part Freddy and all Nat (with able assistance from lighting designer CJ Barnwell).
The diversity of vocal stylings was a fine reminder of the range of Queen’s catalog, from heavy metal to moving ballads to rockabilly to (need I mention?) the operatic. Which reminds me to advise theatergoers once again: Don’t read the song list in advance! The numbers are listed in the program, in order, but for a true concert experience, it’s best to be surprised from tune to tune.
And The Music of Queen is a true concert experience. For those of us who never got to see the actual band perform — with Mercury or with recent guest vocalist Adam Lambert — it’s a treat to see these songs brought to life by skilled, energetic musicians. They straddle the line between their obligation to reproduce the familiar recordings and their commitment to a fresh live show, and the results are almost always on the mark.
Which is not to say this is just like seeing Queen in concert. It’s not and it’s not intended to be. The band members are sharing their passion for Queen, not trying to supplant the originals. Indeed, it’s quite the opposite of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody: The music and singing is live and in the moment, while images of Freddy Mercury often grace the back screen — as opposed to the film, which offered images of miming and lip-synching performers while the real thing could be heard but not seen.
Opening night had a few rough spots — a couple bungled transitions, some weak stage patter. But the music was vibrant and often thrilling. Brayley took on Mercury’s mantle bravely and brashly (even reproducing his concert call-and-response with the audience), and lead guitarist Ryan Guerra evoked Brian May’s brilliant playing and intricate solos faithfully. (I would have liked to hear him cut loose with his own improvisations here and there, but that wasn’t on the agenda.)
Zegree occasionally served as a kind of stunt vocalist: When the notes got too high for the rest of the band — on “Under Pressure,” for example — Zegree’s falsetto soared in to the rescue. Dunn evoked both David Bowie on “Pressure” and Elvis Presley in “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (Mercury’s own tribute effort) while Anthony — who played a mean guitar as well as bass — added a welcome folksy spirit to his lead vocals. Drummer Paul Babelay never missed a beat and was afforded one impressive and too-short drum kit solo.
The audience was on the band’s side from start to finish, particularly the Yeti-sized man in front of me who raised his arms with that rote heavy-metal hand gesture several times for nearly every number. Far from being distracting, his enthusiasm was infectious, and evidence that the tribute band members were doing their job well — connecting those of us in the seats not only with the music, but with all the memories we attach to those songs.
Oh, and if you DO read the song list in advance (though you shouldn’t), and you notice one particular number isn’t listed, take heart that there’s also a gong onstage. Like a musical incarnation of Chekhov’s pistol, the show can’t end until it’s heard from.
The Music of Queen runs through February 23 at Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock. For details and tickets, visit flatrockplayhouse.org.
