Darren Williams high-energy show “The Peter Allen Songbook – Not The Boy Next Door” came blazing in from Down Under to light up The Metropolitan Room. Darren is well known in Australia, having won many awards including The Peter Allen Australian Variety Entertainer of the Year. It is easy to understand why he has earned so many accolades as he has a terrific voice, fine musicianship and talent to spare. As his regular band was not available for these encore performances, Don Rebic subbed in as musical director, along with Matt Wigton on bass, and Ray Grappone on drums and it seemed as if they had been playing with Darren on a regular basis.

Darren was raised on Rock n’ Roll, being the son of Australian Bandstands’ Warren Williams, but has a huge repertoire and can sing in a variety of styles, including musical theater and pop songs. Darren does not try to imitate Peter Allen, but pay tribute to him. However being Australian, there are many similarities as both men have a great way with stylizing a song, are extremely charming with a devilish sense of fun, along with knowing how to really connect and entertain an audience.

Darren began the show with a rocking version of “Not The Boy Next Door”, setting the tone for an exciting show to follow. This handsome performer scored with the popular Allen songs, such as “Bicoastal” and “I Go To Rio,” as the encore, but it was with the very moving “I Could Have Been A Sailor, ““Harbour, “and” I’d Rather Leave While I’m Love” that Darren showed his tender side and great acting ability. He accompanied himself on piano at one point singing a medley of “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and “I Honestly Love You” which added another dimension to the performance. It is known that “Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage” was written with Judy Garland in mind, but Darren said that it might have been for Julie Wilson who was cast in his Broadway show, “Leggs Diamond”. He performed a terrific rendition of “When I Get My Name In Lights” from that show along with a dazzling “When Everything Old Is New Again.”

You don’t see many male performers like Darren Williams in cabaret and this show could easily play in larger venues such as Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Now that he is based in New York, this multi-faceted performer is sure to receive great acclaim on these shores as he certainly has got what it takes!

Encore shows on Nov. 10 & 14 at The Metropolitan Room