At a recent Michael Jackson tribute show in New London’s Garde Arts Center, the performance company utilized TWO Michaels — one to sing and one to dance. I suppose anyone of that level of genius probably needs two mortals to pull off an accurate impression.

Even though Elton John is also a genius, I’m assuming we’ll only need one person Friday when the Garde brings “Elton Undressed — Todd Allsup Sings Elton John” to their Oasis Room. The “one guy” is obviously Todd Allsup, and the aim of the show is to strip away all of the theatricality associated with John — the costumes, lavish orchestrations and larger than life personality — and focus on the songbook.

Think about the possibilities: As cool as John’s persona is — and no one is denying the fun therein — it’s true that sometimes the sheer brilliance of the songs he and Bernie Taupin wrote together are underappreciated. This is not to say you won’t see a bit of glitz – but in dwindling fashion to emphasize the central melodic and lyrical greatness of the music.

“Elton Undressed — Todd Allsup Sings Elton John,” 7 p.m., Oasis Room, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $39; gardearts.org.