A greyscale photo of Stewart D'Arrietta, in a smart black suit, crisp white shirt and loosely tied tie, and a straw pork pie hat. He's sitting front on, with his arms folded across his chest, and you can just make out that his grand piano is next to him, on the left. Just behind him there's a kick drum, acoustic guitar and other assorted vintage musical paraphernalia propped up, as decoration. Stewart is wearing dark sunglasses and his chin is jutted out. He is smirking in a bemused way because he's about to play some of the politically cheeky songs of Randy Newman.
Greenish grey, smokey hues envelop Stewart D'Arrietta as he sits, with his back hunched, at his baby grand piano. He's facing right and is turned away from us. The tone is dark and moody. We can't see his face, but we know it's him because he's wearing his signature felt hat; which is a type of fedora.
Stewart D'Arrietta is at a shiny black baby grand piano, facing right. He's wearing his signature brown felt fedora, and a blue suit with an embroidered burgundy satin vest, and crisp white shirt (no tie). His hand rests gently on the piano keys as he regales stories and the motivations behind the songs written by Randy Newman, which became big hits for lots of famous artists.

A Randy Kind Of Feeling

Cabaret • Music
New South Wales • World Premiere

Growing up in the Big Easy as a child, Randy Newman brings out the swamp land piano man in Stewart D’Arrietta. With his customary relish he takes up the New Orleans influence in some of Newman’s legendary pieces and takes the audience through the world of a musical genius who collected multiple Grammys, Oscars and an Emmy.

Newman’s many songs became hits for others including Joe Cocker’s You Can Keep Your Hat On, Three Dog Night's Mama Told Me Not to Come, and the most poignant of all, I Think It’s Going to Rain Today, made a hit by Bette Midler. Rolling Stone magazine once described Newman as an artist with, “slippery storytelling, pointed, social observation and rapturous melodies”. D’Arrietta honours that descriptor, and then some, with his gravel-textured passionate interpretations of Newman’s life and music.

★★★★★ ‘Surpasses mere imitation’ Adelaide Advertiser

‘Sublime entertainment from Australia’s national musical treasure’ The Adelaide Show

Presented by: Stewart D'Arrietta, The Garage International and The GC

Stewart D’Arrietta is most recognised for the iconic Lennon Through a Glass Onion, the homage he co-created with John Waters and has consistently performed internationally in various versions since 1992. With Waters he also co-created Reunion and Café Brel. A frequent festival favourite, his larger-than-life presence, irreverent humour and distinctive growl, bring a unique passion and texture to some of the greatest songs and stories ever told.

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