The Kravis Center Goes From Quiet Ballads to Pop Celebration as Nicole Scherzinger Delivers a Voice Built for the Stage.

March 5th, 2026

The stage inside the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts held a quiet elegance before Nicole Scherzinger even sang a note. An all female string and horn section stretched across the stage while a pianist, guitarist, and drummer anchored the band behind them. The arrangement alone hinted that this would not be a straightforward pop concert. It felt closer to musical theater layered with a pop showcase and moments of personal storytelling.

When Scherzinger stepped forward and launched into the Broadway classic “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” originally composed by Jule Styne, the room quickly belonged to her. The song climbed and swelled as her voice pushed through the hall with remarkable control.

Throughout the night she moved easily across genres and eras.

Her smoky interpretation of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic “I Put a Spell on You” carried a slow burning intensity before she shifted into the dramatic elegance of “Diamonds Are Forever,” the James Bond theme famously performed by Shirley Bassey.

Between songs she spoke comfortably with the audience, weaving playful banter with small reflections about life and music. At one point she paused and shared a line that seemed to resonate deeply with the crowd.

“If you don’t fit in this world then you are born to create a new one.”

The message felt fitting for a performer who has spent years navigating different corners of the music world.

Scherzinger revisited her pop roots with “Stickwitu,” the hit she first recorded with The Pussycat Dolls, though the orchestral arrangement softened the song into something more reflective.

One of the most powerful vocal moments of the night arrived during her performance of “You Raise Me Up,” the modern classic written by the duo Secret Garden. The song began gently before building into a sweeping crescendo that revealed the full scope of Scherzinger’s vocal range.

She leaned further into musical theater with songs such as “Reflection,” originally written by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel for the Disney film Mulan, along with Stephen Sondheim’s emotionally layered pieces “Not a Day Goes By” and “Losing My Mind.” Before performing the Sondheim songs, Scherzinger shared with the audience that one of her greatest professional regrets was never having the opportunity to work directly with the legendary composer. The performances carried that sense of admiration, delivered with a tenderness that felt deeply personal.

The theatrical energy continued through “Maybe This Time,” a song first popularized by Kaye Ballard and later associated with Cabaret, followed by the bold declaration of “I Am What I Am,” the Jerry Herman anthem from La Cage aux Folles.

Midway through the evening the spotlight shifted briefly when Scherzinger stepped away from the stage. Guitarist Nick moved forward and guided the band through a moody instrumental passage that slowly evolved into a Prince tribute as he began singing the refrain from Prince’s song “I Would Die 4 U.” The jam session carried a reflective, almost melancholic tone.

Then the energy surged again.

Scherzinger returned wearing a sparkling red dress that caught the stage lights with every step, and the audience greeted her with thunderous applause.

Later she honored Prince more directly with a soaring performance of “Purple Rain,” the iconic song he wrote and recorded in 1984. Before beginning, she spoke about her personal connection with him, describing how she viewed him as a mentor who offered encouragement and support during her career. The performance carried that emotional weight as her voice lifted through the extended closing passage.

The evening also included her original track “Bullshit,” which added a sharp and unapologetic edge to the set.

As the night moved forward the mood turned playful. Scherzinger performed “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” both written by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the musical Sunset Boulevard, before shifting into a lighter theatrical number with “Show Off,” the Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison song from The Drowsy Chaperone.

Then the pop celebration began.

When the beat dropped for “Buttons,” the hit she recorded with The Pussycat Dolls, the Kravis Center stopped feeling like a seated theater. Lights spilled across the audience and people jumped to their feet.

Even my 96 year old grandmother found herself dancing.

The energy carried forward through “When I Grow Up” and “Don’t Cha,” both signature songs from her Pussycat Dolls era, along with “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” one of Scherzinger’s solo hits.

By the time the final notes faded, the audience had traveled through Broadway standards, pop anthems, soul classics, and personal stories.

For those inside the Kravis Center, the night revealed something clear. Nicole Scherzinger is not simply revisiting songs from different genres. She is reshaping them through her voice, her stage presence, and a career that continues to evolve in unexpected ways.