3/9/2022
Performances and Artists
Acclaimed vocalist Chris Mann to perform parody songs, Tony Bennett hits and more on March 26
Acclaimed vocalist Chris Mann felt confounded in 2020, when the emerging pandemic led to cancelling his concerts nationwide.
“I was at a total loss of what to do with my time and creativity,” remembers Mann, best known for playing the phantom in over 700 performances of “The Phantom of the Opera” on its Broadway tour. “Like the rest of the world, I was scared and concerned for my family.”
So, he did something for the very first time: channeled his feelings into a parody song.
Mann wrote the delightfully witty “My Corona” – a parody of “My Sharona” – about his desperation for finding toilet paper and organic food after the panicked public ransacked grocery stores.
“I put (the parody video) online and thought nothing of it,” says Mann, who has also been featured on hit shows like “Glee” and “The Voice.”
His video tallied 20 million views in four days.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Mann says.
He has since made 35 hilarious parody music videos, which have accrued over 400 million views on YouTube, and been featured on international news outlets such as CNN, NPR, the “Today” show, BBC News, The Los Angeles Times and The New Yorker,
“I love getting to speak freely and use the diversity of my voice in many genres,” Mann says. “This was totally new territory for me.”
And Mann will showcase this and much more at The Smith Center.
“I always want my audiences to have fun and to feel a lot of feels,” he says. “I cover a lot of ground musically in my set, so I'm always happy when different people have different favorite moments of the show.”
Bringing Parodies, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga to The Smith Center
Mann plans to incorporate a variety of his parody songs – which he refers to as “mini musicals” – into his upcoming two shows.
“I always want to bring my A-Game to The Smith Center,” he says. “It's one of my favorite venues I get to play.”
Backed by a trio of piano, bass and drums, Mann will also honor one of his musical heroes, Tony Bennett, by performing many of the icon’s beloved tunes.
Mann will also croon top hits by Bennett’s most famous collaborators — including Lady Gaga.
“Yes, I'm doing an entire Lady Gaga segment. Why not?” he says. “There’s something for everyone (in my set).”
Conquering the Screen
Those who haven’t yet enjoyed Mann’s parody videos or seen him on stage might easily recognize him from television.
Some know him from playing one of the Warblers in “Glee” and performing on stage with Christina Aguilera as a finalist on season two of “The Voice.”
“Being on ‘The Voice’ was such a godsend,” he says. “It really changed my life.”
He now plays Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars in hit Hulu show “Pam and Tommy,” where he works alongside top film and TV stars like Seth Rogen, Lily James and Sebastian Stan.
“I’ve had a blast,” he says. “My hair has never been bigger or longer than this character, so I have a new appreciation for that kind of maintenance.”
He still prefers the thrill of singing live on stage, however, and anticipates interacting a great deal with Smith Center audiences.
“I couldn't be happier The Smith Center is one of my first shows back on stage,” he says. “It's always a highlight for me.”