‘Starman’ Bowie tribute is ready for national push

When Chris Theoret played “The Gift of Sound & Vision” at Downtown’s Byham Theater in June, the singer donned blue eye shadow and a vintage red blazer, but there was no real attempt to resemble the evening’s late honoree, David Bowie.

It was more important that he capture the legendary glam rocker’s otherworldly vocal qualities, and on that front, the former singer for the Sponges and Leon excels like few others.

“There are dozens of David Bowie tribute bands around the country and you can go online and listen to them, and nothing comes close,” says Jeff Yeckel, who played with Mr. Theoret years ago in the band Leon and was in the audience for that June show. “My wife and I went and saw the [tribute] show, and I was like, ‘I was wish I was in this band.’ ”

Pittsburgh promoter Rich Engler — who presented many David Bowie concerts — was in the crowd, too, and didn’t think it should end there. He approached the singer, who signed on Mr. Yeckel, who in turn rounded up a completely new band with keyboardist Jim Talarico, bassist Eric Hudinski and drummer Matt Muckle.

The result is “Starman — The Ultimate Bowie Experience,” which debuted at Club Cafe in December and now returns for a show at the Crafthouse Stage & Grill on Friday, having recently signed on with a New York booking agent.

“Rich wanted the whole shebang,” the guitarist says, so, even though Mr. Theoret was a little reluctant, for “Starman,” it’s full makeup and costumes. The show opens with the classic “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” album front to back, followed by a Thin White Duke set of greatest hits.

“There might be Bowie bands that have a guy who looks the part,” says Mr. Yeckel, “so for the first five minutes, you might think, ‘He looks like Bowie.’ The next five minutes, you might think, ‘ He kinda sounds like Bowie.’ But for the rest of the show, he’s not taking you anywhere. There’s no one in the country who can do this like Chris.”

“Starman” is performed at 7 p.m. Friday at The Crafthouse Stage & Grill, 5024 Curry Road, Baldwin Borough. Tickets are $20; over 21; showclix.com.