Taking the stage in the first of 10 sold-out performances at New York City's 260-seat Anspacher Theater at The Public, the evening was an opportunity to both promote Sting's new album and debut the musical's songs, as he put it, "Before I turn them over to the actors." Incredibly fit at 61, with his blond tufts now turned to a salt-and-pepper buzzcut, Sting looked more like Steven Berkoff for John Varvatos in his casual but clearly expensive white T-shirt and faded blue demin. Backed by a 14-piece band - that included five backing vocalists, two fiddle players, one accordionist, a drummer, bassist, guitarist, two actors (Jimmy Nail and Jo Lawry) and his musical director Rob Mathes on piano and acoustic guitar - the former Gordon Sumner captivated the room with his presence. But it was his music that truly stood out in an evening of songs and spoken word. Think: Behind The Music: Sting Goes to Broadway...
