Julian Fleisher Turns Cabaret Into Comedy Gold at WKC

EAST MEREDITH — On a quiet hilltop in East Meredith, the old church at the West Kortright Centre once again became a sanctuary for music, laughter, and human connection as Julian Fleisher delivered a wildly entertaining and emotionally rich performance that blurred the lines between cabaret, Broadway, folk storytelling, and lounge act spectacle.

“I’ve been trying to book a gig here at WKC for twenty years since buying a home in Bovina. I finally made it,” Fleisher joked early in the evening, playfully referencing the venue’s teasing back-and-forth with him on Instagram. The remark immediately loosened the room with laughter and set the tone for a performance that felt deeply personal and joyfully unpredictable.

Originally from Baltimore, Fleisher spoke warmly about the venues and productions that inspired his path toward becoming a performer and singer. References to productions such as Pippin, Annie, and The Wiz became touchstones throughout the evening. Opening with a mashup drawing from Annie and The Wiz, Fleisher immediately established the theatrical charm and musical dexterity that would define the night.

The crowd quickly fell into rhythm with his enigmatic humor. Between songs, Fleisher carried the room with the instincts of a seasoned storyteller, able to pivot from quick wit into sincere reflection without losing momentum. His second Gershwin tune evolved almost instantly into a sing-along, with audience members happily joining in as Fleisher guided them like an old-fashioned bandleader from another era.

One of the evening’s standout moments came during his interpretation of the Hotel California by Eagles. Performed as the ultimate lounge singer rendition, the song began slow and velvety smooth before steadily building in pace and theatrical intensity. Fleisher then eased the performance back down toward the iconic closing line, “You can check out anytime you want but you can’t leave,” before exploding into a final crescendo that electrified the church sanctuary.

Fleisher’s infectious persona continued winning over the audience song after song. His composition “Brooklyn or Not” carried a more folk-inspired rolling structure, weaving together playful shifts in tone with sophisticated songwriting. The piece moved with a flowing complexity that merged Broadway showmanship with the intimacy of Catskills storytelling traditions.

Another crowd favorite was his popular song “Side Piece,” which further demonstrated Fleisher’s remarkable ability to balance comedy, vulnerability, and theatrical flair without ever losing sincerity.

The atmosphere inside the more than 170-year-old church elevated every performance. Beneath the stained glass windows, the acoustics felt almost alive, allowing every piano note, trumpet flourish, and vocal inflection to resonate deeply through the room. The venue itself became part of the performance experience.

Fleisher also shared stories from his years owning a coffee shop in Stamford, which led into one of the evening’s most emotionally resonant songs. The piece celebrated the friendships and bonds formed through years of community life, drifting unexpectedly into a lush, almost psychedelic soundscape reminiscent of Pink Floyd. Alicia’s seductive trumpet lines floated through the church while an echoing guitar solo expanded the song into something cinematic and deeply reflective. It became a meditation on friendship, hardship, and the enduring strength of community connections.

For the finale, Fleisher launched into “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” with swift jazz energy and playful exuberance. The performance radiated optimism, sending waves of joy through the audience as the band surged toward the finish. By the end, the room felt transformed by collective laughter and song, with audience members visibly energized and smiling long after the final note.

Fleisher possesses a rare ability to thin the air in a room through humor, movement, and song, inviting the audience into the performance rather than merely presenting it to them. He is a true showman with a deep understanding of orchestration and chemistry, leading a fully engaged and immensely talented band through a set that felt spontaneous yet masterfully controlled. Experiencing a Julian Fleisher performance is like sipping a French 75 cocktail with a swirling lemon twist while watching the sunset over the Catskill Mountains.

The West Kortright Centre itself remains one of the region’s most magical cultural destinations. The beautifully renovated church perched high in the countryside creates an atmosphere that feels removed from ordinary life. Just north of Delhi, the winding drive along Elk Creek Road slowly transitions visitors away from routine and into something quieter and more otherworldly.

And after the music ends, it is best not to rush home. Despite what the GPS may claim about the speed limit, these narrow country roads belong as much to deer, wandering livestock, and the cool mountain night air as they do to automobiles. Better to drive slowly, roll the windows down, and let the lingering echoes of the evening settle into memory.