John C. Reilly brings his musical “Mister Romantic” to the Bay Area

As anyone who’s seen “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” knows, John C. Reilly has some serious pipes. And on a Monday in October, he’ll put them on display in heartfelt fashion at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater for his world-traveling musical “Mister Romantic.”

Featuring vaudeville, singing and storytelling, the show follows the titular character’s journey through the ‘Great American Songbook’ – a loosely defined collection of perennially golden songs and jazz tunes from the early 20th century. Think Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer and Glenn Miller – and with Tom Waits there, because why not? – filtered through the Academy Award-nominated actor’s honey-drenched voice. He is supported by a musical group of Grammy winners, including Davíd Garza, who has collaborated with John Legend and Fiona Apple, and Gabe Witcher of the band Punch Brothers.

“I looked at our tired world a few years ago and tried to think of a way I could spread love and empathy,” Reilly said of the show. “I decided the best way to do that was to perform and sing and tell people I love them.” Is something more needed in our time?