Singers Nicolas King and Seth Sikes are celebrating their one-year creative collaboration with a highly anticipated return to the New York stage. Known as the “New Belters,” King and Sikes will perform at the popular Manhattan nightspot, Green Room 42, on Friday. HuffPost got an exclusive preview of their concert through a video clip featuring their rendition of Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer’s 1961 classic, “Two of a Kind.” This playful medley includes nods to musicals like “Wicked” and “Chicago,” as well as the beloved Disney-Pixar film, “Toy Story.” Watch Nicolas King and Seth Sikes perform their unique version of “Two of a Kind” in the video below.
In an interview with HuffPost, King explained their choice of song, saying, “This song seemed like such an obvious choice, since we really are two of a kind. When we met, it was very apparent that we had the same influences growing up. We were shaped by the same performers and artists; we kinda speak the same language. Plus, Seth is sort of the crown prince of parody lyrics, so we decided to make it personal to us and let the audience know what we’re really about.” Sikes added, “We like to say that it’s kind of like the Rat Pack meets Judy Garland. And a bit Steve [Lawrence] and Eydie [Gormé], too.”
Nicolas King, originally from Rhode Island, made his Broadway debut at the age of 8 in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” as the character Chip. He later returned to the Broadway stage in the 2001 revival of “A Thousand Clowns” and appeared in Carol Burnett’s play “Hollywood Arms” the following year. After his stint in “Hollywood Arms,” King had the opportunity to tour with Liza Minnelli as her opening act, a working relationship that continued until 2012. Seth Sikes, born in Texas, has been making a name for himself in the New York cabaret scene since 2014 with his concert tributes to icons like Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.
The collaboration between King and Sikes began in June of last year when Sikes organized a concert in honor of Garland’s 100th birthday. Given King’s connection to the Garland family through Minnelli, it was a fitting choice. After the successful Garland tribute, they decided to create a full-length duo show, and the “New Belters” made their debut in October 2022. The show was initially intended to be a one-night-only event, but the positive feedback and demand led to a cross-country tour with stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities. They have a schedule of upcoming shows extending through the summer of next year.
Sikes praised working with King, saying, “Working with Nicolas feels something like working with Liza and Judy through osmosis. He’s taught me a little bit about scatting, which does not come naturally to me, and he’s very good at giving a different rhythmic feel to a song and suggesting alternate notes I wouldn’t think of. Also, he’s a walking encyclopedia of popular music, so he’s great at suggesting material for me.” King expressed their mutual enjoyment of working together, saying, “We have so much fun working together, and people keep booking us, so we keep going. We’re really great puzzle pieces for each other, and it’s not every day you find the puzzle piece you never thought you needed.”
Don’t miss the dynamic duo, Nicolas King and Seth Sikes, as they bring their electrifying performance to the stage in New York City on October 20th. Stay tuned for more exciting shows from the “New Belters” in the coming months.
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