By James Kent
No adult enjoys hitting those milestone birthdays, and when Emmy-Award-winning actor Hank Azaria saw his 60th birthday approaching last year, he opted to do something to cheer himself up. Calling it a “gift of joy” to himself and his friends, Azaria decided to throw a birthday celebration. As part of this occasion, Azaria conjured up a wild idea: he’d perform at the party as one of his musical idols, Bruce Springsteen.
For Azaria, known worldwide for his vocal work on “The Simpsons” and recognized for his many film and television performances, just doing a passable imitation of “The Boss” would not do. No, to convince his friends and family that he could do more than just an impression of Springsteen, Azaria went to work. He methodically underwent a rigorous training process for six months leading up to the event to surpass expectations and turn in a believable Bruce Springsteen that could hold up under scrutiny.
When doing voice work, Azaria said he doesn’t do vocal preparation. “I reject process because the way I make sounds is so odd, and doing something ‘properly’ doesn’t work for me,” Azaria said during a conversation with the Mountain Times. “But with singing like Bruce, I had no choice but to learn proper techniques. Bruce has such a specific rasp to his voice that if I didn’t do it properly, I’d damage my voice.”
Singing isn’t something Azaria has a background in. He didn’t sing in the school chorus; there were no garage bands in his history. Azaria has had to sing as characters on “The Simpsons,” and he did sing in his Broadway performance in “Spamalot,” but becoming Bruce Springsteen is taking things to a whole new level of performance.
“Speaking as a performer, it’s been a long time since this old dog has learned any new tricks,” Azaria said. “But this is the most obsessed I’ve gotten with a performance in my life.”
A performance with a benefit
As Azaria’s debut birthday performance approached, he realized attendees might want to bring him gifts. Azaria has had a passion for charity work over the past 35 years of his career, most focused on education efforts. Five years ago, he and his wife started the 4 Through 9 Foundation to channel those various efforts into an efficient way to make a difference. Instead of gifts, Azaria asked guests to consider donating to the foundation.
On Birthday Game day, Azaria surprised himself by feeling something he never felt in all his years in the entertainment industry—nerves. “I felt like I was having a full-blown anxiety attack.”
But the reaction to Azaria’s uncanny performance as Bruce Springsteen, backed by musical friends who have since become Azaria’s EZ Street Band, proved so positive that Azaria realized this would not be a one-night-only performance. His efforts generated $30,000 for the 4 Through 9 Foundation. And with that, a new idea was born: take the show on the road.
Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band: An evening to celebrate and GIVE back
Azaria and his cleverly named band (a nod to Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band) have done several shows, including the Stone Pony, and are doing a small tour this spring to spread the joy. All net proceeds from these shows will go to the 4 Through 9 Foundation, so people who come to the show will not only be in for a great evening but also support a worthy cause.
When Azaria hits the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland on May 3, it will mark the very first time he’s visited the Green Mountain State.
“I’ve been all over New England and spent a good deal of time in Maine, but this is the first time I’ve ever been to Vermont,” Azaria said.
Azaria and his band have learned 30 Springsteen songs and will vary the set list (a good dozen or so songs for every show). In between songs, Azaria (performing in character) will tell some fun stories about his life. There will be surprises and improv moments for the audience, so anyone who comes out to the Paramount next month is sure to be in for a fantastic evening.
No one is as surprised as Azaria was at the strange turn of events that led him on this new journey of discovery. Before the idea of singing like Springsteen came to him, the last thing on Azaria’s mind was any type of singing career. “But,” he said, “If you are considerate enough to consider yourself, you can find new avenues to investigate.”
And that’s the takeaway: age is just a number, and you’re never too old to learn new things and challenge yourself. Azaria took on a challenge, and it’s been rewarding in many ways. And on May 3, you can come to the Paramount and feel the inspiration of Bruce Springsteen channeling out of Azaria and the EZ Street Band.
Tickets for Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band are available at paramountvt.org.
