Following his Tony, Drama Desk, and Drama League Award-nominated return to Broadway in The Notebook after a 45-year hiatus, acclaimed stage and screen star, voice actor and singer Dorian Harewood is about to make his solo NYC concert debut on February 25, with Songs from the Brill Building at 54 Below. Known to fans everywhere for his performances and character voices in more than 100 shows and video games, Harewood’s past Broadway credits include Two Gentlemen of Verona, Don’t Call Back, The Mighty Gents, and Streamers. Among his most renowned TV appearances are his roles in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations (as author Alex Haley’s father), the television film The Jesse Owens Story (as the titular lead), and the NBC series I’ll Fly Away (as jazz and blues saxophonist Clarence “Cool Papa” Charleston, for which he received a 1994 NAACP Image Award).
Along with acting, the multi-talented Harewood is also an accomplished singer, who has released two albums and three singles on Emeric Records, is heard on the original Broadway cast recording of The Notebook, performed the national anthem at the 1994 Orange Bowl, has sung live on-stage with Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, toured with the Four Tops, and is now bringing his reflective cabaret concert on the legendary songs from the iconic Brill Building to 54 Below.
Under the music direction of Tony Daniels, Harewood will be accompanied by Gabriel Aldort on keyboard, Greg Germann on drums and percussion, and Eamon Rayhn on bass, and joined by special guest vocalists Sharon Catherine Brown (Dreamgirls) and Julia Roome (The Voice), for his premiere tribute to New York’s historic 1931 site at 1619 Broadway that housed offices and studios of the music industry, where many chart-toppers of the early ‘60s were created and influenced countless other pop hits of the era.
The set list will feature such favorites as “One Fine Day” (The Shirelles), “Make It Easy on Yourself” (Jerry Butler), “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King), “On Broadway” (The Drifters), “What The World Needs Now Is Love” (Jackie DeShannon), “Love Potion No. 9” (The Clovers), “Breaking Up Is Hard Do” (Neil Sedaka), and “I’m a Believer” (Neil Diamond), in addition to his own original song “Off Rhythm,” being presented for the first time before a live audience.
In conjunction with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), and in keeping with Harewood’s signature generosity and heartfelt humanity, his aim is that all proceeds from the show will benefit the families of Altadena who have been devastated by the California wildfires. Dorian kindly answered my questions and gave us a personal preview of the concert, which will not only be performed live but will also be live-streamed, so if you can’t make it to 54 Below in person, you can enjoy it from home, revisit a selection of classics from the pop canon, and contribute to the worthwhile cause.
How does it feel to be making your solo concert debut both in NYC and at 54 Below?
Dorian: I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity. 54 Below is a terrific venue, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun revisiting some of the greatest popular songs in the history of pop music; songs that came directly out of the legendary Brill Building.
When did you first become aware of the importance of the Brill Building to the history of popular music?
About 30 years ago, my good friend Frank DiElsi started bugging me about doing a show featuring songs from the Brill Building. I didn’t know anything about the Brill Building, but Frank quickly and thoroughly educated me about its history. He made me realize how important the Brill Building was in the shaping of American – and indeed, World – music culture. I thought Frank’s idea was a great idea then, and I think it’s a great idea now, these many years later.
Is there one particular song in the show that’s your personal favorite, which you most look forward to singing?
All of the songs are terrific, and I love singing them all, but if I had to choose one personal favorite, it would have to be “Up on the Roof,” written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and recorded by the legendary vocal group The Drifters in 1962.
What special significance does the benefit with CORE hold for you?
When the LA wildfire tragedies occurred last month, my family was directly affected. My daughter‘s house in Altadena was burned to the ground, as was my son‘s mother-in-law‘s house, also in Altadena. I immediately decided to dedicate every penny of the proceeds from my upcoming 54 Below concert to go to the victims of those wildfires. Though I knew that, practically speaking, it would be more of a symbolic gesture than any significant cold hard cash assistance, I felt, and feel, it is important to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges and struggles facing these victims, specifically the Altadena community. CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is at the forefront of the organizations that provide and coordinate assistance to victims such as these.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
Quite simply, I hope the audience’s “takeaway” will be that they had a lot of fun! That they heard some terrific music! And that they were a part of an effort to help their fellow human beings, many of whom are going through rough times right now.
Many thanks, Dorian, for giving us a sneak peek at Songs from the Brill Building, sharing your love for the music, and giving much needed support to the California residents affected by the fires.
Dorian Harewood: Songs from the Brill Building plays on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, starting at 7 pm (doors open at 5:30), at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, cellar, NYC. For tickets (priced at $51.50-101, including fees, plus a $25 per person food and beverage minimum), go online. The concert will also be live-streamed (in real time and will not be available for on-demand viewing); for tickets (priced at $29, including fees), click here.
