ORLANDO — Let’s put the facts on the table right away: Nat Zegree is a whirlwind of talent and energy, who arrives on stage with the excitement and enthusiasm of a hyperactive kid on his first day at school, or right after getting on his choice baseball team and rushing for the bat. The charismatic singer and pianist performed to sold out crowds at Orlando Shakes this weekend, with an irresistable show titled The History Of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was easily one of the most exhilarating concerts the region has seen in a long time.

Zegree, who has a voice that’s smooth, melodic and captivating, plays his piano likes it’s an instrument begging to be demolished. He pounds away at the keys, with a lightning speed that’s stunning to watch and listen to. You wonder at times if the piano is going to collapse to the ground by the end of the show.

Bottom line: if Zegree brings this show to your city in the future, book your tickets, fast. And for Central Florida residents, Zegree has his final performance at Orlando Shakes today.

Who is Nat Zegree?

Zegree made a big impression on local audiences in August 2023 when he appeared in the Orlando Shakes’ production of the musical Million Dollar Quartet, about a unique night on Dec. 4 1956 when four early rock legends found themselves jamming together in a recording studio. Zegree’s hilarious performance as a high stung, manic Jerry Lee Lewis stood out for the crowds that caught that show.

As the Shakes notes, ever since that performance, their season tickets holders have been asking repeatedly when Zegree will be making a return engagement. The Shakes was thrilled when Zegree agreed to bring his show The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll to their Margeson Theater, noting “With his signature charm and one-of-a-kind talent, Nat takes audiences on a musical journey like no other!”

He does indeed! Orlando Shakes was not exaggerating at all when they called this concert a “one-of-a-kind musical journey!”

What is The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll?

Accompanied by a talented band that includes John Rochette on drums, Jeremy Sevelovitz on guitar, and Chuck Zayas on bass, Zegree carried his audience from the music of the 1920s, the early Jazz, swing and big band eras, to the emergence of rock and roll in the 1950s. He served not only as lead singer, but also our narrator, taking us through how major events — the stock market crash and Great Depression, World War II — impacted the evolution of popular music. A great example, as he noted, was the Andrews Sisters saluting our American GI’s serving overseas with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” a jump blues song that became a smash hit. He also charted how radio transformed popular music, and radically. From your own home, simply by twisting the radio dial, the hit of the week was born.

A particularly fun part of the show was Zegree recalling the making of The Blackboard Jungle, a movie starring Glenn Ford as an inner city teacher struggling with juvenile delinquency and violence in the classroom. Director Richard Brooks decided the film could use one of those new, fast-paced rock songs, Zegree noted, and chose “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets. If the song sounds tame today, it electrified young listeners in 1955, paving the way for the likes of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and others.

Another highlight of the show: Zegree performing Little Richard’s classic hit “Tutti Frutti,” while noting that Richard was a gay black man in the segregated south in the 1950s, and his song originally opened with the lyrics “Tutti Frutti, good booty, if it don’t fit don’t force it, you can grease it, make it easy.” The recording studio, Zegree noted with a smile, said there was no way those lyrics were getting recorded, so the opening lyrics got altered to “Tutti frutti, oh rootie.” C’est la vie.

That’s part of what made this charm-filled concert so entertaining – not just the vitality Zegree brought to his singing (including reviving Jerry Lee Lewis and performing his sizzling “Great Balls Of Fire”) but also his funny, witty and enlightening look at how popular music evolved. There’s no question he’s the ideal singer/pianist to perform this show.

Also fun: the bars at Orlando Shakes had specialty drinks available, including the Blue Suede Shoes, a mix of lemonade, Tito’s handmade vodka, and Blue Curacao, which was a big hit during the show’s intermission — especially the doubles!

Nat Zegree’s The History Of Rock ‘n’ Roll has its final performance today at 3 p.m. at the theater at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. The show has sold out, although you can always call the box office at 407-447-1700 to see if there are any last minute cancellations.

Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the terrifying book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.

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