By JESSICA NEU
Before renowned singer and actress Jessica Vosk took the Cabaret stage, the theater staff introduced her as a “secret superstar.” If that’s the case, it seems that the secret might be out on Vosk’s talent and charm as she filled the Greer Cabaret Theater for both of her two shows last night. Vosk set the tone for an exciting, unpredictable show by entering from the back of the house and engaging directly with audience members as she made her way to the stage. Belting out “Let Me Entertain You” from the 1959 musical Gypsy, Vosk did not miss a step or a note before taking center stage. As she finished the number, she elegantly draped a jean jacket over her shoulders that read “Vosk in the City” on the back. Vosk explained that the jacket was a gift from the audience member in her first of many hilariously quirky stories.
Vosk glided through Gene Wilder’s “Pure Imagination” and proceeded to welcome the audience “to her weird life.” She expressed her connections to Pittsburgh – her dad a Duquesne graduate, and she a CMU Drama Department reject. Vosk grew up as a theater kid, even starring in the musical Wanna Play, written by Carole King. Needing a way to pay the bills, Vosk began her professional career in finance before making her Broadway debut at age 30 as a Swing in Jason Robert Brown’s 1992 musical The Bridges of Madison County.
A self-proclaimed terrible Swing, Vosk explained how someone would have to stand in the wings to tell her where to go when she was on stage. She made her principal debut on an evening when Jason Robert Brown was not only present for the show but also conducting the orchestra. After a hilarious story about a solo moment in the show, Vosk dove into a “tribute for JRB.” Belting out Bonnie Raitt’s classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Vosk cemented herself as not merely a Broadway star or Pop singer, but as a world-class entertainer.
Her first solo show came in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, right after the “pan Demi Lovato.” Vosk sought to create a setlist that honored many of the strong, independent, trailblazing female artists who came before her. With an infectious energy that made the audience forget that it was nearly 10:00 PM, Vosk delivered a sublime rendition of Bette Midler’s “I Still Got My Health” – the first song she added to her 2021 Carnegie Hall setlist.
With the help of music director and pianist Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Vosk proved that she still has her health and so much more. Vosk’s audience engagement was unparalleled with any other Cabaret artist I have seen to date. She proudly declared that her shows are unscripted, never the same, and never boring – qualities that she attributes to her ADHD. Her quick wit and charm matched her dynamic vocal talent. Vosk displayed her vast repertoire as she moved from “Times are Hard for Dreamers” from 2017’s Amelie to a deep cut off of Taylor Swift’s Red album, “Treacherous.” In true Vosk style, she stopped singing in the middle of the first line of “Treacherous” to tell another hilarious story about how she met her fiancé in St. Louis when she was part of the touring production of Chess. The story was about how her fiancé was hesitant to kiss her at first, and it thematically made sense with Swift’s lyrics. Again, Vosk transitioned seamlessly between storytelling, audience engagement, and singing.
Vosk’s second Carnegie Hall performance was a tribute to Judy Garland, whom Vosk deemed an original trailblazer and recognized for pushing the envelope for what was considered conventional for women in entertainment at the time. Another hilarious story from this show preceded a version of “Almost Like Being in Love” where Vosk’s vocals matched Garland’s classic tone nearly perfectly.
Delving back into stories about her time on Broadway, Vosk engaged the audience with a story from her time as Fruma-Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof. The story prompted an extemporaneous sing-along of Vosk’s main number in Fiddler, complete with the crowd singing back-up and harmony. One night, Vosk was tasked with assuming the lead female role of Golde after the original cast member was concussed during intermission. Vosk began Act 2 with the lead male role of Tevye singing the duet “Do You Love Me?” Vosk teased the number before transitioning into a mash-up of The Stone Poney’s “Different Drum” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Everybody Says Don’t.”
Never missing a beat with quick one-liners and banter with the audience, Vosk rounded out her set with Fergie’s hit song “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” where she once again traveled through the audience. She returned to the stage for a poignant rendition of “She Used to Be Mine” from the musical Waitress. For as many times as we may have heard this song, Vosk’s version made the song feel refreshingly new. In a nod to her time spent on Broadway as Wicked’s Elphaba, Vosk closed with the crowd-pleasing “The Wizard and I.” The number drew a standing ovation from the audience, leaving Vosk seemingly touched by the outpouring of love. Vosk closed the show with the Moulin Rouge version of Elton John’s “Your Song.” Another standing ovation led to Vosk’s encore of none other than Judy Garland’s timeless “Over the Rainbow.” Vosk’s effortless approach to singing and storytelling was a masterclass in entertainment. I have no doubt that we could all still be sitting in the Cabaret listening to her seemingly endless arsenal of stories. However, this was Vosk’s last concert for the time being as she begins rehearsals for the musical adaptation of the film, Beaches. Based on last night’s performance, I have no doubt that Vosk’s talent and charisma will continue to light up Broadway as she continues to fly high over her own rainbow.
Next up in the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Cabaret Series is Eva Noblezada on March 9, 2026. Tickets at: https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/series/trust-cabaret-series/shows
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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