By JESSICA NEU
Emerging Broadway diva Eva Noblezada has spent more than a decade carving out her place in musical theater history. She is a two-time Tony award nominee with credits including lead roles in Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Hadestown, and The Great Gatsby. This resume would be impressive for any performer, but Noblezada is just shy of turning 30. She began her career on Broadway in Miss Saigon in London’s West End at age 17. Since then, Noblezada has been captivating audiences with her dynamic stage presence and infectious vocals.
Last night, Noblezada also showed off her wit, spunky sense of humor, and wise introspection as she took the stage for two sold-out performances at the Greer Cabaret Theater. Accompanied by her music director and pianist, Rodney Bush, Noblezada not only performed for audiences, but she also told a story. Her show started with a phone call on a chunky first-generation cordless phone positioned downstage right. On the other end of the line was Noblezada’s guardian angel. The call established a thematic throughline for the show, positioning Noblezada’s performance from a dream state where she can explore her subconscious. In this space, she is free to sink to uncomfortable feelings, confront her high levels of self-deprecation, and restore her self-confidence. To visually represent this theme, Noblezada strapped on a pair of angel wings that she wore for the entire set. She described herself as a “quintuple Pisces (IYKYK)” and a chronic meme poster. Self-deprecating, maybe, but like the rest of her story, told through her own unique and extremely quick-witted sense of humor.
Noblezada always dreamed of being on stage. She described her teenage self as a “kinder, better Rachel Berry” – a joke that made me and most of the crowd laugh out loud. Her story turned deeply serious as she vulnerably described the body shaming, regimented diet, and subsequent trauma that she endured during her Broadway debut in Miss Saigon. Her damaging experience led to Depression that took her years to process. As she is nearly 30 years old and 13 years removed from that traumatizing experience, Noblezada proudly declared that her goal is to be 100% herself, and she recognizes the privilege and responsibility that come with holding a microphone and making a career out of performing.
“When shit knocks you down, make it count,” Noblezada implored. She then gave a shout-out to all the angels who inspired her along the way. One of whom is the late-great Amy Winehouse. “Amy Winehouse wanted to be herself and was abused for that,” she explained before delving into Winehouse’s “You Sent Me Flying,” – a song that Noblezada said was deeply relatable.
Noblezada’s story changed for the better when she met her now-husband and Broadway co-star, Reeve Carney. A self-described hopeless romantic, Noblezada uses her obsession with love as a North Star when all else seems to be too much. “Life slaps you in the ass, but love is consistent,” Noblezada declared. Staying true to herself, she belted out her next song – Faith Hill’s pop-country smash “This Kiss.” An ode to the adoration of her husband as well as love itself, Noblezada’s vocal precision and interpretation of the song was, in my opinion, superior to that of Hill’s.
Her marriage has helped her remember that life is worth living, but that we still must be forced to ask ourselves truthful, introspective, uncomfortable questions. “Mental health is real,” Noblezada confidently stated as her advice and stoic wisdom rang out like vital daily mantras with softened humorous edges.
During that phone call at the top of the show, Noblezada’s guardian angel explained that she had left her a gift bag. Noblezada decided to explore the contents of the gift bag, finding an inspiring card and an unknown mushroom-like food. Upon eating the food, Bush quietly began playing the opening chords to Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” Noblezada built up the number with a few humorous lines about acid trips and rabbit holes before tackling the classic rock anthem. Her breath control and tone in her upper register once again transformed this song into another dimension beyond the original recording.
In between offering profound advice and telling her story, Noblezada effortlessly engaged the crowd, interspersing witty jokes and remarks. To really turn up the party, Noblezada ordered a tequila on the rocks. She offered a toast to the audience, leading her to recall a hilarious story about when Patti LuPone came to see Hadestown but did not recall meeting Noblezada multiple times prior (and even being nominated alongside Noblezada for a Tony Award).
The rest of the show was equal parts humor and wisdom. Noblezada spent every moment of her hour and forty-five minutes pouring her heart into the audience. She spoke profoundly about how her high school voice teacher taught her that singing was more than just hitting the notes. Singing comes from a vulnerable place where you must confront the truth behind why you are singing. She brought this lesson into the present day by discussing how confusing the world is right now. However, despite the state of society making us feel small, being a part of a community of people of all shapes, sizes, and colors can make us feel “so big.” She gifted us one of her favorite quotes (she thought it was from Ertha Kitt, but was not certain), “I’ve had people throw flowers at my feet because they love what I do. I’ve had people throw shit at my door because they don’t like what I stand for. Either way, the flowers and shit both go into my garden.” I had never heard this before, but I am making it my new life motto.
Noblezada belted out a 1920’s “Gatsby” version of Zac Efron’s “Bet on It” from High School Musical 2, and Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding out for a Hero.” Her commanding stage presence, evocative mannerisms, and subtle nuance were truly captivating. Noblezada clearly took her high school teacher’s advice to heart. She hit all the notes in the Les Misérables classic, “I Dreamed a Dream,” but she also sang with an emotional depth that was as far beyond her years as her astute advice. Noblezada closed the show with a story about a hilarious mishap during a Miss Saigon performance and a dynamic rendition of Dinah Washington’s “Teach Me Tonight.” She certainly did teach us. We came to witness Noblezada’s talent, but left with lessons on love, self-care, dreams, and mental health. I wish my friends could have been there. I wish more people could experience a show with not just talent, but also purpose.
Noblezada stated that she wanted the audience to leave feeling really good. That we can let go of something that wasn’t serving us – perhaps a negative view of ourselves that we did not create. I’m not going to start naming names and divulge what I let go of as I left the theater – but I am confident that my garden is going to thrive this season.
NEXT UP in the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Cabaret series, Cheyenne Jackson on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the Greer Cabaret Theater.
Categories: Arts and Ideas
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