Unlike most performers, Darren Williams is not afraid of overexposing himself - like ripping his shirt open and rhythmically bouncing his pecs on one song! Crass? Loungey? Read on.

In what has turned into one of the hottest, most talked about, sold out runs of the year, Australian entertainer Darren Williams has proven that Peter Allen was not the only boy next door who is not the boy next door. Consequently, in his tour de force titled (what else?), Not The Boy Next Door, Williams croons, cavorts across the stage, opens his shirt to the waist, wiggles his body parts and belts out loud in a high voltage romp that is anything but a cabaret act. In fact, judging by reaction from audiences at his sold out happenings, Williams belongs on much larger stages. Booked for only four shows at Metropolitan Room at Gotham recently, he seemed bent on putting the life back into nightlife. Maybe he's the secret ingredient cabaret has been looking for to recharge itself. If cabaret is to exist and thrive, chances have to be taken. Welcome Darren Williams.

Now, before adjectives run out, it must be noted that Darren Williams is not everyone's cup of tea. If you're an aficionado of the the late Mabel Mercer or the ever- present Andrea Marcovicci's well structured school of interpretive story-telling performance style, he is not for you. Even if your tastes run toward more contemporary, high-energy performers like say Baby Jane Dexter, Lina Koutrakos, Euan Morton or Marcus Simeone, he still may not be for you. Comparisons asunder, Darren Williams is in a league of his own. Like it or not. And, like others who dared to take chances in cabaret and do more than glide though safe, patter-laden shows with little pizazz, he stands to gain the attention of a much wider audience and the media (he's already been received with considerable enthusiasm by several critics in New York). He is about as close to the late Peter Allen as one could hope for, with an obvious nod to Hugh Jackman, who magically portrayed Allen on Broadway and winning many awards,  including a Tony. This particular Aussie is not a method actor who took some singing lessons. He has a wide range that can soar into a well honed falsetto when needed. He is not a clone. He doesn't attempt to impersonate Allen, even though he's obviously cut his teeth on his songs growing up down under.  Williams is the real thing; a constantly working entertainer with several shows other than tributes to Allen, and collecting accolades by the boat-load along the way.

There are some minor quibbles; He is a bit shy on the vulnerability that Allen would twist the heart with, on those melancholic ballads like 6:30 Sunday Morning and the dramatic Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage. The act would benefit from some tamer moments, with the lights dimmed to balance the showroom festivities on the likes of I Go To Rio, and such.

The odd pairing of Don't Cry Out Loud with I Honestly Love You, two of Allen's biggest hits, might be re- thought as these two beauties are very well known and clearly able to stand on their own. Yet, a poignant reading of I Could Have Been A Sailor fused with Harbour, gave him a strong, poignant moment. A good set up and heartfelt reading of Tenterfield Saddler, gave Williams his best moment in the ninety-minute set.

In Australia, Peter Allen remains a greatly missed national treasure. Darren Williams treats his subject with the respect he deserves. In doing so, he puts on a show that deserves attention here and abroad. For a cabaret setting, it was  unconventional. With his trio, brilliantly led by John Di Pinto, the meat of his show tackled Allen's story songs with aplomb. The crowd knew many of the words, often singing along for a few verses.

For now, the thing about Darren Williams is that he is a singer with wit, style, warmth and exceptional talent with this tribute show to a great singer/songwriter who left us too soon. He also has incredible, rangy chops. It is a style night clubs may not be used to, but one they sorely need if they want to survive. In a world of vanity-laced, over-indulgent cabaret that is too often glumly turning nightmarish, Darren Williams is a breath of fresh air who needs to stay put in New York, and ride the wave he has started.He might just help give cabaret the shot in the arm it badly needs.

******DARREN WILLIAMS returns to The Metropolitan Room with his show celebrating the life and music of the man who inspired the musical "The Boy From Oz". From "Arthur's Theme" to "I Honestly Love You" to "Don't Cry Out Loud" to "I Go to Rio", Darren explores the songbook of fellow Aussie entertainer Peter Allen, but very much in his own award winning style. This show at The Metropolitan will be marking his last two nights in NYC for a long time to come! Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00pm and Saturday, November 14 at 9:45pm