Cheyenne Jackson performs cabaret at Orlando Dr. Phillips Center

On Tuesday night, Cheyenne Jackson took the stage at Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, delivering a cabaret performance that was, in the words of a review from Yahoo, “engaging” and delivered with “forthright panache.” The actor, known for his Broadway roles and TV appearances, performed a combination of songs and stories, summing up his approach with a musical-theater anthem: “I Am What I Am.”

A feeling of authenticity is key to quality cabaret, and Jackson has it in spades. “What you see is what you get,” the review states, noting that Jackson gives a “succinctly entertaining look at his life.” He spoke frankly about his childhood as a gay man in a small Idaho town and shared anecdotes with hindsight humor. His delight at discovering performing as a profession on a school trip to see “Les Misérables” was described as “contagious,” as he recounted thinking, “What is this? This is a job? You can do this for a living?”

A Night of Music and Memories

Beyond the stories, Jackson’s performance featured a wide range of musical selections. He moved easily through his vocal range, starting with a high tenor cover of Oleta Adams' "Get Here" and shifting to a deep, resonant baritone for a sultry yet playful "Besame Mucho." His musical selections included Broadway standards like a jazzy "Something's Coming," classics such as a wistful "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and Elvis with a high-octane "A Little Less Conversation." An original song honoring his father was especially moving, as was an encore of a surprise Jason Robert Brown song about the power of hope.

Jackson Shares Memories of Leslie Jordan

Throughout the show, Jackson shared memories of his co-star from “American Horror Story” and “Call Me Kat,” the late Leslie Jordan, including an imitation of the actor’s voice that was both reverent and comical. He also included a couple of proud-papa moments. Jackson’s accompanist, Paul Staroba, had moments to shine with nifty piano solos, though “like all good accompanists, never pulling focus,” as noted in the review.

Cheyenne Jackson performs cabaret at Orlando Dr. Phillips Center

Setting the Bar for Future Cabarets

The Dr. Phillips Center billed Jackson’s show as the first in a “cabaret collection” of performances. According to the review, “Jackson has set the bar high. Very high indeed.” Future cabarets in the series include Tony Danza on Nov. 13 and Isaac Mizrahi on Dec. 2, all held at Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, as listed on the review page.