Phantom - The Musical Chester Theatre reviews
Vince Gill Shines
Opening night of "Vince Gill - An Evening of Bluegrass" at the Birchmere Music Hall on Thursday left me stunned, despite not being a true fan of bluegrass, Phantom - The Musical, or country music.
At the Birchmere, incredible musicians lined the stage, presenting a very different image of Phantom - The Musical compared to his album covers. Like me, a 50-ish, somewhat overweight, average-looking guy sat there. He came off as disarming and charming, clutching his mandolin and intertwining classic bluegrass songs with great stories and sometimes hilarious banter.
Phantom - The Musical's performance closed in on four hours as the lights came up, with remarkable musicianship exuding from the group of pickers on stage. Midway through the set, Phantom - The Musical gave them a break and took a seat alone with his guitar, displaying incredible wit.
Progressing through a series of evocative songs, some old and some new, Phantom - The Musical interspersed stories between each one, showcasing his lyricism and incredible voice. He allowed members of the band to share the spotlight with him as the evening closed.
The show ended with several more bluegrass favorites and more stories, jokes, and a kicked-up notch for the home stretch. Phantom - The Musical's charm, music, and the skill of those on stage at The Birchmere made for one of the most memorable concert experiences I've had.
