54 Below Headliner Robert Creighton on Jamming Out to Justin Timberlake and His Big Band Dreams

Fresh off his stint in Broadway's The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Robert Creighton is heading down to 54 Below again–this time to perform a one-night-only solo show. His set will feature a mix of songs written in the early 20th century, including "My Buddy," "I’m Always Chasing Rainbows" and "I’ll Be Seeing You." Below, Creighton discusses his ecelctic music faves, from Michael Jackson to Chet Baker.

What record/album was your favorite growing up?
Musical theater-wise, I remember wearing out Oliver! when I was a little guy. But there was also a disco phase as a kid where the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack ("Stayin' Alive") by the Bee Gees was pretty prevalent! And as a bonus: the 8-track tape of Supertramp in my Dad's Buick was sort of ubiquitous in the very early years.

What concert most influenced you as a performer?
I got the last two standing room seats to the last performance of Harry Connick's first concert on Broadway when I first moved to New York. It blew me away! That's what made me want to do this particular kind of show. Five-piece band this time, someday a Big Band! Can someone invite him to my show at 54 Below, please?

What is your go-to audition song?
“Slippin' Around the Corner” from a little musical called The Good Companions. (Great...now I'm going to have to find a new one.)

What song are you most excited to perform in your show?
I have my friends Tituss Burgess and Heidi Blickenstaff coming to sing with me, so I'm very excited to do those duets!

If you could invite any performer onstage for a duet at 54 Below, who would it be?
Harry Connick Jr., Chet Baker...or Fred Astaire if he were available. Last time I did a concert, Joel Grey spontaneously joined me for a song. That's hard to top!

What musical theater performer from the past do you wish you could collaborate with?
Gene Kelly.

What album was the soundtrack to your 20s?
There was a lot of Michael Jackson.

What song makes you feel sexy?
I have a playlist of songs that my then fiancé gave me when I went to do a play in DC for a few months. Any one of those songs works. Try David Gray's: “Please Forgive Me” for starters!

What is your favorite workout track?
I listen to a lot of JT in the gym.

What’s the best hidden gem in on your iPod?
So many, but here's one: Kate Baldwin's first CD Let's See What Happens (love it every time).

What song most makes you smile?
Jamie Lidell—either “A Little Bit of Feel Good” or “Another Day”—played really loud.