While at Milwaukee Repertory Theater to see Nina Simone: Four Women, we noticed Piano Men 2 was ending soon. Having seen Piano Men a couple years ago, we quickly decided to buy tickets for a return trip the next week.

Performer Steve Watts started the show by proclaiming “This is not a concert. It’s a party!” Watts and performing partner Kenney Green-Tilford proved to be awesome party hosts as they spent the next 90 minutes at their pianos leading the audience through dozens of sing-alongs.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater photo of Kenney Green-Tilford and Steve Watts by Michael Brosilow.

Like the first, Piano Men 2 performances are never the same. The performers take song suggestions submitted pre-show, sometimes playing them straight, while often adding their own spin on them. Either way, the audience raucously sang along and enjoyed the ride. Rep’s Stackner Cabaret reverberated all night long.

Of course, my suggestion was Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” but I added “or any Joel song.” I controlled my squeal when I heard the opening notes of the famous ballad. Much like an encore at Joel’s concerts, the audience almost drowned out the pianos.

Piano Men 2 is just pure music fun. Watts and Green-Tilford are master pianists and great entertainers.

Ended May 19, Piano Men 2 was the last production of the David Kundert Stackner Season at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Next season starts with The Coastal Starlight on Sept. 3. Other productions include Women of Rock, Romeo and Juliet, Million Dollar Quartet and several more. I am sure we will be back for a bunch of them.

— John Wroblewski, online writer