Tickets are selling at a brisk pace with close to 50 tickets out of 72 sold. We're going to make a special push this weekend to current members so that they don't miss out on this special, one-time-only event and expect to sell out completely by July 1st. That will allow us to spend full time on making this the best CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE party ever.
If you're too far away to make it to the gala - or have another event your obliged to go to, why not show your support by purchasing an ad in the program booklet - just $25 for a 1/4 page ad, $40 for 1/2 page, $75 for full page ($25 additional for cover position). Same price as our MARCH IS CABARET booklet. This is an especially handy way for folks to advertise a cabaret event or CD release coming up in July, August or early September. Space it limited. Deadline is July 6th. For specs and to order, just click here:
I saw four shows in the past 7 days that I want to tell you about. Each one was in different style, and that's the great thing about cabaret. There is no "one way to do it".
On Friday, June 18th, I was at the METROPOLITAN ROOM for jazz pianist and vocalist Patti Wicks' show at 7:30 pm. I love all kinds of cabaret when they are done well, and this was one of the types of shows I particularly enjoy. Ms. Wicks simply sat at the piano and sang and played, with a minimum of patter and a maximum of talent. In the style of a saloon singer, the emphasis was on the song not the story. The show had simplicity and at the same time elegance. Accompanied by bassist Linc Milliman, she worked her way through a dozen or so songs, impressing each with her own mark, her own interpretation. It was jazz without all that clap-trap of forced scat, drum solos and showboating band members. Mr. Milliman was Ms. Wicks' partner throughout, even cueing her for the next song, since Patti has a visual disability that meant she could not follow the prepared song list without his help. In the familiar style of the likes of Barbara Carroll here in NYC, and Audrey Morris in Chicago, Ms. Wicks' smokey vocals gave the entire set a sense of liesure and calm - like a smooth glass of brandy after a hearty meal. Patti visits us from her home in Florida only once or twice a year, developing a loyal audience of true jazz aficionados. I hope she returns soon.
You all know by now my fondness for Tommy Femia's "JUDY! LIVE!" show, now in its 20th season, at DON'T TELL MAMA on Saturday, June 19th at 8:30 pm. There is no one in this town, and perhaps on the planet, that can recreate the energy, the charisma, the wildness, the spontaneity of the Garlan persona as well as Mr. Femia. This not a "drag act", this is a true celebrity impersonation. With the incomparable David Maiocco at the piano, "Judy" takes us on a whirlwind tour of both her songs and her emotions, with several Garland standards like The Trolly Song, Chicago, The Man That Got Away, plus several that weren't in her repertoire, like the classic "Fifty Percent" from Ballroom. And this being Judy Garland month - she was born on June 10th, 1922 and died on June 22, 1969 - both my pal Daniel and I made sure we were there on this special occasion. But there was another element that made it even more special. Each show Tommy invites a guest vocalist to perform a song or two while he does a costume change, and this time his guest was the unsinkable Cynthia Crane. After her two songs, "Judy" returned to the stage to sing along with Cynthia that classic Garland/Streisand duet, "Happy Days Are Here Again" and I will tell you, I have seen song this done by Tommy and dozens of partners over the years, but never quite like this! It was incredible, goose-bump producing, magic! Yes, that's another thing I love about cabaret: the unexpected surprise, the "impossible to duplicate" thrill that happens (and not rarely) in a live entertainment cabaret event.
Tommy Femia appears twice a month with JUDY! LIVE! at DON'T TELL MAMA on Saturday nights at 8:30 pm. Each show is similar in that each is exciting, yet each show is different, depending on the audience, the special guest or event that day's headlines. Check www.donttellmamanyc.com for the next show dates.
On Monday, June 21st I was at THE DUPLEX at 7:00 pm for Oron Stenesh's "THE BIG 3-0" show, celebrating turning 30. Oron is not simply a great vocalist, he is also a poet, a dancer (dancing samples scattered here and there in the show), and a consummate entertainer. His carefully crafted show, with Tex Arnold serving as musical director, presented a variety of song styles and genres. It was Mr. Stenesh's chance to look back over his life, beginning in the Kalamazoo, moving to NYC fresh out of college with no job, no apartment, and not much money, just a lot of ambition and self confidence. In the 8 years that he's been in NYC, he has truly had a varied career history - including theater, summer stock, children's theater, office temp and currently secretary in a law firm. Each phase of his city life was punctuated by a cleverly delivered story or anecdote, plus a song. His poetic talent was displayed as well, with a rap-like rant on gay equality. He had the audience totally captivated by his with, charm and even a bit of self-depreciation presented with a wink and a smile. No bitterness, no looking back, always the optimist, always moving to the next adventure with gusto. And, with show-ending announcement, Oran told us that in a few days he will move on to the next phase of his life - resettling in Minneapolis! The why wasn't answered, but we all knew that the makings of his next cabaret show were going to surely be the result.
The fourth cabaret show attended during the past seven days was on Wednesday, June 23rd at 7:30 pm, back at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM for Darren Williams' fantastic "Not The Boy Next Door The Peter Allen Songbook" - and in a unique style as well. Its a show celebrating the life and music of the very larger than life" Peter Allen, the man who inspired the musical THE BOY FROM OZ. With a 7 piece band (actually a very reasonable facsimile) made up of musical director Dennis Buck at piano, Ray Kilday on bass and Ray Grappone on percussion, this indeed was an exciting show, led by Mr. Williams, a dynamic showman in his own right. Every song in the show was an Allen gem, and it was great to hear them sung big and bold - Radio City Music Hall style. And most interestingly, the familiar Allen ballads weren't done as wimpy dirges but instead as anthems! The total package is one of challenge and inspiration, which comes through in so many of Peter Allen's works. This is actually the third time I've seen this show, yet it was fresh with as much energy and excitement as the first time I saw it. I am certain we will see more of the dynamic Mr. Williams in the future.
Well, this issue is about half the size of the Monday issue, yet took me about as much time to write - more original writing, less "cut & paste writing". Let me know if you like the new format - Monday issue packed with listings, WEEKEND issue packed with news items, reviews and the special weekend listings of shows with guest artists or changing themes. We can always switch back.
See a show or two this week! Visit our websites! Run a banner or sidebar ad! Join CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE for 2010-2011. Now - more than ever - cabaret (and CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE) needs your support. Every day, in every way, we're promoting cabaret!
Look for more news on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website , on theCABARET HOTLINE ONLINE blog and almost-hourly updates, picks & reminders on TWITTER.
And that's just about the way it was. The rest will have to wait until Mondays's issue. (The MEMBERS ONLY ISSUE goes out as usual on Saturday).
Thanks for your support of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE!
Hugs & Stuff,
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