(Ruth Eckerd Hall; Clearwater FL) When Cynthia Erivo walked onto the stage at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, the anticipation was already electric. The evening had been rescheduled from its original May 3 date, but if anything, the extra four months only heightened the audience’s excitement. From the moment she sang her first note, it was clear this would be no ordinary concert; rather, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Accompanied by her longtime music director and pianist, Mark Meadows, and the sweeping force of the Florida Orchestra, Erivo performed to a completely sold-out venue, every seat filled and every eye fixed on her. What happened next was astonishing: after each of the 13 songs on the setlist, the audience rose to its feet in rapturous standing ovations, something I had never before witnessed at a concert of any kind.
She opened with a bold, radiant “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, tackling the Broadway classic with fearless energy and a dazzling vocal punch that set the tone for the night. Her fiery take on “I Put a Spell on You” was sultry and hypnotic, dripping with bluesy grit that drew the crowd deeper under her spell.
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” shimmered with raw emotion, a soulful plea carried on waves of orchestral swells. Erivo then brought the house down with Aretha Franklin’s “Never Loved a Man”, a blistering, gospel-tinged tribute that honored the Queen of Soul while still stamping it with her own vocal authority. She followed with “Ain’t No Way”, delivering a tender yet powerful rendition that showcased the ache and vulnerability in her voice.
One of the evening’s most touching moments came with “Alfie”, introduced with a story about singing it at the Kennedy Center Honors before Dionne Warwick herself, who later told Erivo she sang it so beautifully that Warwick would now retire it from her own setlist. That moment of reverence carried into the performance, which was delicate, luminous, and utterly transporting. Erivo then heated things up with “I’m Feeling Good,” performed with a seductive, slow-burning confidence that oozed jazz-club elegance.
After a brief intermission, the second half opened with “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”, a deeply soulful confession delivered with aching intensity. This led into “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which was haunting and reflective, sung almost like a whispered prayer that filled every corner of the hall. “A Song for You” carried a confessional warmth, intimate yet expansive with the orchestra’s support.
Then came a highlight of the night: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, performed as a soaring power ballad. Erivo descended from the stage to walk among the audience, singing directly to the people, transforming the hall into what felt like a communal living room.
If there were ever a moment that defined the concert, it might have been “Purple Rain”, a cover so searing and impassioned that it easily stood among the greatest interpretations I’ve ever heard. The hall vibrated with the sheer magnitude of her voice.
For her finale, she unexpectedly sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and performed it in its purest form with only Mark Meadows on piano while the entire orchestra sat silently in stillness. The stripped-down arrangement gave Erivo’s voice space to soar with clarity and vulnerability, creating one of the most intimate and poignant moments of the night. Finally, as a playful yet electrifying close, she offered a quick excerpt of “Defying Gravity.” The reaction was volcanic as the audience erupted with joy, applause, and cheers, practically shaking the walls of Ruth Eckerd Hall.
By the end of the night, Cynthia Erivo had delivered more than a concert; she created an unforgettable shared memory, powered by her stunning voice, artistry, and sheer presence. With every standing ovation, she reminded us not just why she’s a once-in-a-generation talent, but why live performance at its best feels transcendent.
Accompanied by her longtime music director and pianist, Mark Meadows, and the sweeping force of the Florida Orchestra, Erivo performed to a completely sold-out venue, every seat filled and every eye fixed on her. What happened next was astonishing: after each of the 13 songs on the setlist, the audience rose to its feet in rapturous standing ovations, something I had never before witnessed at a concert of any kind.
She opened with a bold, radiant “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, tackling the Broadway classic with fearless energy and a dazzling vocal punch that set the tone for the night. Her fiery take on “I Put a Spell on You” was sultry and hypnotic, dripping with bluesy grit that drew the crowd deeper under her spell.
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” shimmered with raw emotion, a soulful plea carried on waves of orchestral swells. Erivo then brought the house down with Aretha Franklin’s “Never Loved a Man”, a blistering, gospel-tinged tribute that honored the Queen of Soul while still stamping it with her own vocal authority. She followed with “Ain’t No Way”, delivering a tender yet powerful rendition that showcased the ache and vulnerability in her voice.
One of the evening’s most touching moments came with “Alfie”, introduced with a story about singing it at the Kennedy Center Honors before Dionne Warwick herself, who later told Erivo she sang it so beautifully that Warwick would now retire it from her own setlist. That moment of reverence carried into the performance, which was delicate, luminous, and utterly transporting. Erivo then heated things up with “I’m Feeling Good,” performed with a seductive, slow-burning confidence that oozed jazz-club elegance.
After a brief intermission, the second half opened with “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”, a deeply soulful confession delivered with aching intensity. This led into “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which was haunting and reflective, sung almost like a whispered prayer that filled every corner of the hall. “A Song for You” carried a confessional warmth, intimate yet expansive with the orchestra’s support.
Then came a highlight of the night: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, performed as a soaring power ballad. Erivo descended from the stage to walk among the audience, singing directly to the people, transforming the hall into what felt like a communal living room.
If there were ever a moment that defined the concert, it might have been “Purple Rain”, a cover so searing and impassioned that it easily stood among the greatest interpretations I’ve ever heard. The hall vibrated with the sheer magnitude of her voice.
For her finale, she unexpectedly sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and performed it in its purest form with only Mark Meadows on piano while the entire orchestra sat silently in stillness. The stripped-down arrangement gave Erivo’s voice space to soar with clarity and vulnerability, creating one of the most intimate and poignant moments of the night. Finally, as a playful yet electrifying close, she offered a quick excerpt of “Defying Gravity.” The reaction was volcanic as the audience erupted with joy, applause, and cheers, practically shaking the walls of Ruth Eckerd Hall.
By the end of the night, Cynthia Erivo had delivered more than a concert; she created an unforgettable shared memory, powered by her stunning voice, artistry, and sheer presence. With every standing ovation, she reminded us not just why she’s a once-in-a-generation talent, but why live performance at its best feels transcendent.
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