The piano-based music of singer-songwriter Five for Fighting always has had a classical connection, and hits such as “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “100 Years,” because of the gravity of their subjects, a theatrical element.
Both components were far more pronounced Saturday, during a wonderful concert with a string quartet at Sellersville Theatre 1984 on Oct. 17.
The 13-song, 90-minute show allowed more attention to the songs’ musicality and drama, but didn’t diminish the power of the hits, and perhaps even elevated the set’s lesser-known tunes.
It helped that singer John Ondraski’s performance was virtually flawless: His voice as good as it was on those early 2000s hits, as he sang with reverence, but not indulgence.
All of that was shown on the set’s opening song, 2009’s “Hope,” which started with Ondrasik singing a cappella – and his voice was up to it, hitting long, clear notes – before the string players started, making the song especially theatrical.
From the start, the sold-out crowd of more than 325 showed its appreciation, with loud applause at the conclusion.
Ondraski brought out one of his biggest hits, 2006’s Top 10 Adult Chart hit “The Riddle,” as the second song, and the audience even cheered its intro. It was exceptionally well done, as Onfraski, seated at the piano, finished with a stark voice-and-keyboard verse that brought a huge cheer.
Two songs with Ondraski on guitar – his first single, 2000’s “Easy Tonight” and the lesser-known but heart-rending 2006 song “65 Mustang” – also were very good, especially the former, which the 61-year-old Ondrasik joked is old enough to be an “oldie.”
That humor, and Ondrasik’s ability to connect to the audience also made the show more enjoyable. He frequently used stories – some self-depreciative, many enlightening – to introduce songs, such as on the title track to his 2006 Top 10 Album “Two Lights,” when he recounted playing at Ground Zero soon after 9/11, then a 25th anniversary last month.
The concerts centerpieces were phenomenal: A flawless performance of Five For Fighting’s biggest hit, 2003’s platinum, chart-topping hit “100 Years,” then a very theatrical, strings-infused and heart-rending version of “I Just Love You” with his daughter, Olivia, who the song is about.
Oliva also performed with the opening act, Lace and Lee, but her voice was at its best with her dad. The string quartet also was at its best, expressing the song’s emotions.
The quartet, without Ondrasik, got a 10-minute opportunity to show its own talents, with a very good medley that included surprises such as Aha’s “Take On Me” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”
The players, led by Jonathan Dinklage, concertmaster and first violinist for Broadway’s “Hamilton,” all were exceptional, as they were throughout the concert, and the audience gave them a partial standing ovation.
Ondrasik followed with the 2013 song “The Day I Died,” which Ondrasik called “a very, very deep cut,” but as if to show the success of the show, it was exceptionally touching and good.
Two songs backed by videos – “Can We Save the World,” which showed him performing with troops in Ukraine, and 2013’s “What If,” a song about exploring other people’s perspectives with its heartbreaking video also were successful presentations.
“And now I’m going to play ‘Superman’ for you,” Ondrasik told the crowd, and he closed the show with another flawless performance of his chart-topping, gold 2001 hit, which got a standing ovation.
An encore of his 2006 Adult chart hit “World” came the closest to being a bit over-obvious, but even it was an example of how the format’s focus on Five For Fighting’s classical and theatrical elements was a successful experience.
Lace and Lee’s seven-song, 30-minute opening set was a good fit for the night, with the duo’s even more theatrical presentation and quirky vibe.
But what made the duo’s set a success was Olivia Lee Ondrasik and Caroline Lace McPherson’s precision, faultless vocals – so connected, their harmonies seemed seamless.
From the quirky voice-and-guitar opener “Hunter” – a title McPherson described as “metaphorical,” of course – and “Dappled Shade,” a theatrical loungy, cabaret song sung by McPherson, the songs were interesting, and entertaining, as well.
Their best were the mid-set songs “Mirror Mirror” – the title track to their debut EP, set for release on Nov. 27 – and a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25, with a cover of Parton’s “Jolene.”
“Mirror Mirror” featured a high vocal duet of precision, flawless singing. And “Jolene” honored Parton well – sung reverently in her style, backed by string quartet violinist Melissa Tong, whose performance was another example of how good the players were.
The set closed with the quirky “Penn Station Strawberries” and “Roadkill,” and another or their best, their single “Oh What a Weapon” – which successfully channels Simon and Garfunkel, with its impressive harmonies and strong song structure.
