Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - On January 2nd, his opening night in Puerto Vallarta, Levi Kreis walked on stage to a loud round of applause and sat behind the red piano, performing as he always preferred: a singer/songwriter with his piano.

He moves around behind the keyboard, sways and bounces to his music. He is a one-man show and what an entertainer he is. The setting had the feeling of a small cabaret with him smoothly presenting songs familiar to most viewers mixed with many of his own compositions. He uses his strong clear voice as an instrument of pleasure. He zooms to high notes and slides low with natural ease.

He took familiar tunes and added his own interpretation and arrangement. He delighted the attendees with a bluesy "Crazy," sounding little like the pop version by Patsy Cline. Patsy's "Walkin' After Midnight" became thunderous and passionate. He seemed to put his life's breath and soul into each song to the wild delight of his new friends in the venue. He has a knack for taking songs and making them his own, twisting and turning the notes. Levi is one terrific talent, well-trained but natural and down-to-earth.

Through his chosen songs, he relates the story of his upbringing from twelve years old, when his mother performed Brenda Lee songs for him, to the present. He was raised in Oliver Springs, Tennessee in a religious family and his sexuality quickly became an issue, with his stage mom disapproving of his preferences. He underwent six years of reparative therapy to no avail as far as his mother was concerned. He knew who he was inside but had to struggle with living his way, not trying to become what he was told was "right." Some men and women in the crowd identified easily since many families a while ago were displeasing of homosexuality and tried to change their offspring into what they desired. It was an unsuccessful task in the Kreis family.

His adult life continued to be a struggle to deal with the conflict of fundamentalist Baptist teachings and his sexuality. He sang a self-penned "Stained Glass Window", the theme song from the film "Southern Baptist Sissies" from award-winning writer/director Del Shores, creator of the hit play and movie "Sordid Lives". "Let it Go", one of Levi's wonderful compositions, was another standout showcasing his beautiful songwriting skills. "We're Okay" was sung with deep emotion in his voice, plaintive and sensual. Beautiful sounds streamed through the room, quite a number with gospel tinges. Many of his recordings are on YouTube.

Levi is also an actor. He first came to national recognition in 2004 as a singer/songwriter appearing on television's "The Apprentice" then as an actor in the national tour of "Rent" and the movie "Frailty." He was awarded a 2010 Tony Award for the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway's "Million Dollar Quartet." He delighted all of us with his rousing performance "Great Balls of Fire" from the play - wild, spirited and phenomenal. We would have been very happy with more entries from "The Killer" as Lewis was known. Levi is shooting the sequel to Del Shores cult classic "Sordid Lives." That should prove deliciously delightful no doubt.

To the world's benefit, he resisted early recording labels attempts to mold him into a lead singer of a rock band or boy group. He stuck to his innate vision of who he was and where he wanted to take his career. Through many years of struggles, he built on song and performance one after another until he became the committed personality he truly was.

As the show progressed, one could sense this growth and his writing became stories of his life so far, baring his soul publicly. He even patched up a broken relationship with his mother via a song he wrote for her, which became a huge attraction on Logo.

Levi Kreis is a talent not to be overlooked. Many barely knew his name when the stage went to low red, but left with a deep respect and adoration of a standout singer and composer.

You can catch Levi Kreis in The Red Room Cabaret at Act II entertainment STAGES on Jan 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 at 7:30 pm and Jan 10, 12, at 9:30 pm.

Tickets to all shows can be purchased online at VallartaTickets.com or at the box office, which opens daily at 11 am.

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