Decades after his hit anthem “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” resonated across the nation, Five For Fighting singer-songwriter John Ondrasik is bringing his unique acoustic show to Westchester County for a single night this fall.
Ondrasik will perform at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall on Thursday, Oct. 8, as part of his Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour.
Joining the Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist is a quartet of Broadway musicians: Tony Award-winning concertmaster Katie Kresek (violin), Melissa Tong (violin), Chris Cardona (viola), and Peter Sachon (cello). Emerging folk-rock duo Lace & Lee will open the performance.
The string quartet format allows Ondrasik to step away from the traditional rock setting, creating a space focused on storytelling, behind-the-scenes insights, and intimate musical arrangements.
“It’s certainly a more intimate show,” Ondrasik said in a recent interview. “It allows me to tell a lot of the stories behind the songs and adventures I’ve had in my career. … One of my favorite parts of the show is I leave the stage and let the string quartet just jam and play whatever they’ve been feeling throughout the tour. I get to join the audience in the standing ovation that always comes afterward.”
The classical string backing reimagines familiar radio singles while highlighting lesser-known tracks from his catalog. Ondrasik noted that early hits like “Easy Tonight”—originally recorded without strings—alongside fan-favorite “World” transform entirely in this arrangement. Attendees can also expect deep cuts, including a newly arranged performance of his track “The Day I Died.”
The tour comes as “Superman” marks nearly 25 years as a song of comfort and remembrance. Originally recorded prior to Sept. 11, 2001, the track became a source of strength for first responders and grieving families, culminating in Ondrasik’s performance at the Concert for New York City at Madison Square Garden.
Recalling that night, Ondrasik reflected on performing directly for those who had been working at Ground Zero.
“That concert gave them a chance to release their emotions, and it gave me a new insight into why music truly matters,” Ondrasik said. “When a songwriter releases a song, it’s almost not ours anymore. It’s like letting your kid leave the nest. It becomes something that is for everyone else… To see young people singing that song back to me that weren’t alive when I wrote it is a blessing.”
In recent months, Ondrasik participated in the “9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan” special alongside Cyndi Lauper and Lainey Wilson. He has also performed the track in Tel Aviv in support of hostages held in Gaza, joining the family of released hostage Alon Ohel.
While Ondrasik has focused on releasing topical tracks addressing humanitarian issues around the globe in recent years, he confirmed he is actively working on a new full-length release—the seventh Five For Fighting studio record.
“I actually just finished a song that’s kind of the first normal song I’ve written in a long time,” Ondrasik said. “So I only need nine more for a record. I am on my way to new music.”
Opening the Tarrytown concert is Lace & Lee, a duo featuring Olivia Lee Ondrasik and Caroline Lace McPherson. The group has released a series of singles this year leading up to their debut EP, Mirror Mirror, set for release on Nov. 27. The EP was recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Mikal Blue.
Tickets for the Oct. 8 performance at Tarrytown Music Hall are available through the venue’s box office and online ticketing outlets.
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