The annual benefit to raise money for Western New York’s Ronald McDonald house welcomed former American Idol and TV actress Katherine McPhee. McPhee performed at the University of Buffalo on Sunday night. Right before McPhee took the stage, the money raised from the show was donated to the charity. The amount, $35,000.00, will be used to provide housing for parents of sick children.
McPhee got things going by entering from the back while her band played the opening of the Eurythmic’s “Would I Lie to You?” Right away, you could see why she placed where she did on Idol as her voice soared throughout the evening’s performance.
For the last two (2) years, Mcphee also spent time on a show called “Smash.” It was about a show that became a musical. Many references were made by McPhee about the show and some of the numbers she performed were from it. Her band was very tight and was led by pianist/keyboardist and musical director Doug Petty.
The just north of an hour performance also included a bevy of covers that ranged from James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” to The Kings of Leon “Use somebody.”
McPhee’s voice wasn’t the only highlight of the night. Her bubbly personality was present throughout the show. She even gave away the necklace she was wearing. After complaining that the necklace was choking her, she gave it to a young fan named “Molly.” McPhee also came out again into the audience during Colbie Calliat’s “Brighter Than the Sun” and brought up two fans to dance during “Shake It.” McPhee remarked that this was the last show of the year for her. Well, there’s no better way to tie it all up than the terrific performance she gave this past Sunday night. The best part of it was that the show was for a good cause!
Setlist:
Would I Lie to You? (The Eurythmic’s cover)
Rumor Has It (Adele cover)
Heart Shaped Wreckage (From TV show Smash)
Some Boys (Death Cab for Cutie cover)
Pretender (From TV show Smash)
It’s a Man’s Man’s World (James Brown cover)
Over It
Stay (Rhianna cover)
Use Somebody (Kings of Leon cover)/Firework (Katy Perry cover)
Run (Snow Patrol cover)
Shake It Out (Florence and the Machine)
Brighter Than the Sun (Colbie Caillat cover)
Cut, Print…Moving On (From TV show Smash)
Don’t Forget Me (From TV show Smash)
That’s Life (Frank Sinatra cover)
Encore:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Judy Garland cover)
We would like to thank David Wedekindt from UB for the credentials to review the show.
