Seth Sikes and Nicolas King, both award-winning artists known for their smooth, swinging, blockbuster deliveries of classics from the Great American Songbook, have been touring the country with their concert The New Belters Sing MGM, the sequel edition of their New Belters cabaret act, which they debuted in 2022. On Friday, September 6, the duo made a one-night-only stop at 54 Below and, under the musical direction of Billy Stritch (whom King has known since the age of ten, when they met on stage at a Liza Minnelli concert), brought their updated vintage stylings, dazzling vocals, perfect harmonies, and upbeat camaraderie to a set list of fourteen numbers, half of which were jampacked medleys, covering an array of their favorite hits from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Nicolas King and Seth Sikes, with Steve Doyle on bass. Photo by Ray Costello. The iconic catalogue included selections from such legendary MGM movie musicals as Singin’ in the Rain, The Bandwagon, Ziegfeld Follies, Babes in Arms, Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, The Wizard of Oz, and many others they grew up loving, interspersed with their witty commentary about the films, the songs, and the artists who sang them. They also offered their current perspective as a new generation of fans, noting that “the world is so difficult and weighty now” but these classics remain exuberant and uplifting, along with their over-riding message of the night: “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” Fortunately for us, they still make singers – and fully rounded, thoroughly engaging entertainers – like Sikes and King. Seth Sikes and Nicolas King. Photo by Ray Costello. Dressed in matching white tuxedo jackets with black lapels, ties, and pants, the consummately paired duo, backed by the terrific trio of Steve Doyle on bass, Josh Roberts on drums, and Stritch on piano and vocals, interspersed the show with their personally revised lyrics to the tune of “That’s Entertainment,” describing the intent and content of their act with humor and ebullience, and clearly enjoying themselves as much as the star-studded audience was relishing their outstanding talent and effervescent personalities. In addition to their masterful duets on such beloved standards as “Strike Up the Band,” “Good Morning,” and “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” flawlessly belting out the long notes and “so many lyrics,” Sikes and King added some more fun to the songs by dancing to “Ballin’ the Jack,” moving to the beat of their “Meet Me in St. Louise Medley,” and clapping in time to “A Great Lady Has an Interview (Madame Crematante)” – a lesser-known, part rhythmically spoken-word number from the Ziegfeld Follies of 1946, which they laughingly referred to as “the first rap song.” And Stritch joined them on the hilarious trio “Triplets,” in the part originally sung by Nanette Fabray. Billy Stritch, Nicolas King, and Seth Sikes. Photo by Ray Costello. Each one also had a solo segment, featuring Sikes’ jazzy belting on “Get Happy” and his down-tempo seated rendition of “I Fall in Love Too Easily;” King’s unique stylings on “Love” and his quiet moment of expressive feelings on “Too Late Now” – one of his top ten favorites, which he translated into today’s lingo as “my life would suck without you” – with a piano solo by Stritch; and Stritch’s swinging “A Shine on Your Shoes.” Seth Sikes. Photo by Ray Costello. Nicolas King, with Billy Stritch on piano. Photo by Ray Costello. Billy Stritch. Photo by Ray Costello. Sikes and King returned for a powerhouse “Hit Song Medley” that included the popular “For Me and My Gal,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “If I Only Had a Brain,” the rapid-fire “Aba Dabba Honeymoon,” and the bouncy “On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe.” That was followed by “The Trolley Song” (increasing the wow factor in a show filled with nothing but wows), and a “Singin’ in the Rain Medley” with the duo joyously raising umbrellas and Stritch singing and playing the jaunty “All I Do Is Dream of You.” Seth Sikes and Nicolas King. Photo by Ray Costello. Seth Sikes and Nicolas King with the band. Photo by Ray Costello. The fun-filled show – dedicated to producer, writer, and accomplished whistler Eric Gilliland, who lost his battle with colon cancer on September 1, at the age of 62, but brought so much laughter and kindness to the world – ended with a jubilant full-length encore rendition of “That’s Entertainment” – and, boy, was it! If you missed this one, Sikes and King announced that they’ll be back at 54 Below for New Year’s Eve, so my best advice is to get your tickets for this sensational duo now, before they sell out! Running Time: Approximately 75 minutes, without intermission. The New Belters Sing MGM played on Friday, September 6, at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, cellar, NYC.