Here is a recent CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE message sent to nearly 2,500 readers
of this free e-mail newsletter. Check at the bottom of the message for the way
you can have a free subscription.
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
#030705 - MID-WEEK - Thursday, July 31, 2003
Since 1990 Your First, Best, and Only Complete Source of Cabaret News
If it's anything to do with cabaret, you'll probably read it here
first!
Oh, what a week! "Uneventful
flights" are my favorite, and both the flight to and the flight
from New Orleans on Monday and Tuesday were "uneventful."
Of course, the downside is that I can't complain about the food served
on either flight, since what's to complain about a small (1/2 oz.)
bag of pretzels? Or a diet coke? By the time I got to New Orleans
I was famished! The flight left at 11:10 am and arrived at 2:20 pm
(NYC time) - now that's what I call lunch time. My host, Harry Mayronne,
arrived at the airport literally just as I was getting to the curb,
and so there was no need to park the car. We sped off to town (no
traffic in New Orleans, apparently) and I was give an excellent quick
motor tour of the French Quarter, then to the CLAIBORNE MANSION ((2111
Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA - 504-949-7327 - http://www.claibornemansion.com/).
Harry introduced me to the owner of the inn, Cleo Pelleteri, who was
at one time a performer herself.
Pause a moment, and take a look at the website of this historic inn
- an 1850s Greek Revival style home, overlooking Washington Square
Park, that is a bit of heaven on earth! I began to realize that Southern
Hospitality begins at home - and this place was unbelievable. My room
was on the second floor, and overlooked the park, and was really a
suite of two large rooms plus bath. 14-foot ceilings, a fireplace
in each room, comfortable furniture, wall to wall carpeting, it was
immaculate and spacious. I immediately regretted not taking along
a friend. But the best thing about the place was the "backyard,"
including a lovely garden area and a pool. I peeked around the first
floor, spotting a very comfortable-looking parlour area, and a large
music room, with grand piano. The brochure says the place has been
restored to its 1850s splendor, but really it is more than that. Every
convenience is within reach, including a strip of restaurants and
clubs just across the park, on Frenchmen Street.
After "freshening up," I made a second discovery. You think
New Orleans has great jazz, great clubs? Well, my friend, its all
about food down there! Last time I was in New Orleans, perhaps 25
years ago, it was for a convention, and I really didn't get to stray
far from the hotel, so ate nearly all my meals there. So, I never
realized until this week, how important food is to everyone in this
town. By this time, it was nearly 5:00 pm (again, NYC time, but with
a trip of just 36 hours, and lack of a companion who could show me
how to change the time on my digital watch, I stayed on NYC time the
entire trip) and in spite of the 90 (f) degree heat (with matching
humidity), I began my search for dinner - based on an excellent suggested
"nearby restaurant" list provided in my room. I only made
it for two blocks, when a familiar name caught my eye. I was passing
a jazz bistro called SNUG HARBOR (626 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans,
LA - 504-949-0696 - http://www.snugjazz.com/)
and here out front was a photo of "Coming Attractions" including
a photo of Jacqui Naylor. Now, you might ask, how would I remember
that name? Well, if you write for a living, correct spelling of people's
names is more important that giving the correct time and date! And
Ms. Naylor's first name is in my spell checker - I remember little
facts like that.
Now, if you are on a diet, skip over this paragraph, because I want
to tell you about a fantastic meal, consumed much too quickly by a
very hungry man. Skipping over the spicy, blackened and gumbo stuff
on the menu, I settled (on the advice of the server) on the grilled
shrimp in garlic-butter sauce with rice, proceeded by golden-fried
mushrooms and a delightfully fresh, cooling, house salad, accompanied
by an ice-cold Dutch ale. Even the breads were fresh and warm. I needed
no coaxing to clean my plate down to the last grain of rice. After
getting directions from a very friendly lad who cleared my table (everyone
is friendly in this town, it seems), I decided that I had plenty of
time to walk across the French Quarter via Royal Street, which at
some point would change to St. Charles Avenue and lead me right to
LE CHAT NOIR (715 St. Charles Street, New Orleans, LA - 504-581-5812
- http://www.cabaretlechatnoir.com/)
to see the show at 7:30 pm.
What an amazing area to stroll through, block after block of balconied
buildings lining both sides of the streets. Occasionally a horse-drawn
carriage would pass, filled with tourists. Traffic seemed to be light
- it was a Monday - but as I walked, and as the time grew shorter,
I began to search for a cab. Last time I was in this town, I stayed
at the ROYAL ORLEANS (621 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA - 504-529-5333),
now part of the OMNI HOTEL chain (http://www.omnihotels.com/),
and I realized that St. Louis Street was just ahead. I rounded the
corner, and as expected, in front of the hotel was a line of cabs.
A few minutes later I was at the club.
LE CHAT NOIR is perhaps one of the best designed cabaret clubs I've
seen - it is only about four years old and was completely built as
a cabaret, replacing what was at one time a large garage. A large
bar area is out front, and you walk through a wide hallway, lined
on one side with photos of past performers, into the cabaret room
- spacious, with a wide stage and great sight lines. The room seats
over 100 - with small tables throughout the room seating from two
to four persons. An excellent light-sound system (NY's Matt Berman
was involved with the design), and a large backstage area allows this
room to present everything from cabaret, small plays and musicals,
to film presentations. Located in the downtown area, just next to
the French Quarter, it is especially convenient to the larger hotels
surrounding the Superdome-convention center.
I was greeted by Barbara Motley, proprietor of this amazing, unique
performance/fun space. Su Gonczy, who would be later running the lights
for the show, provided me with my ticket, and Barbara actually took
me to my table - stageside. I was seated with well-known New Orleans
photographer Jose L. Garcia II, who would be taking post-show photos
of the cast and other revelers celebrating the first anniversary of
"Black & White Blues," the show we were about to see.
This was a fortunate choice, since he was able to point out several
of the local celebrities who were at the show, and introduce me to
a few.
And what a show it was! With book & lyrics by Ricky Graham, and
music composed, arranged and directed by Harry Mayronne, the show
tells the inside story of what happens behind the scenes in a restaurant.
It is a full-scale revue, about 90 minutes long, with nearly a dozen
original songs and sketches. More on the show in the review section
below.
The party after the show was a blast - folks in New Orleans know how
to party - with two celebration cakes: one for the birthday of a cast
member (Christopher Wecklein) and one for a departing cast member
(Russell Hodgkinson - moving to the Pacific Northwest). Paper hats
and noisemakers appeared as if by magic. And the cocktails here are
perfection - not skimpy.
I met several wonderful folks, including New Orleans food critic Tom
Fitzmorris (would I love to have his job!). Check out http://www.neworleans.com/
and you will discover that Mr. Fitzmorris is as passionate about food
as I am about cabaret! He even lists a new recipe each day, and actually
sends out a DAILY newsletter about food - with recipes, tips and stories.
I just subscribed - now that I actually have an apartment with a kitchen,
what the heck!
I also met another delightful lady, Cathy Flores Gregoire, who is
with the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (http://www.neworleanscvb.com/).
As with every other local I met, the lady is gushing with pride about
New Orleans - and invited my back for a special, personally directed
tour of the city. She clued me in on all the theatrical and other
cultural happenings in town, and even answered my questions regarding
rents and housing availability in the area (in case Mr. Fitzmorris
should need an assistant). Several other very friendly folks introduced
themselves as well - for too many for me to remember, especially after
three of those generous cocktails.
Midnight arrived all too quickly (NYC time, anyway) so Harry phoned
for a cab and soon I was whisked cross town to the mansion, while
the locals partied on. No time for jazz tonight, since I was totally
exhausted. A few minutes of TV and I was off to slumberland.
I awoke early (for New Orleans time, anyway) and headed out for another
tour of the French Quarter. It was barely 8:00 am (New Orleans time)
and already the temperature was 82 (f) degrees. But there was a steady
breeze off the river (just a few blocks away) and I strolled down
Frenchmen Street for coffee and a muffin, then onward to where it
became Decatur Street, through the open-air farmers market. Breakfast
- with eggs, sausage & grits - was enjoyed at an outdoor restaurant
with a live jazz band, small but enthusiastic, near the market. I
walked through Jackson Square, past the cathedral, and then around
10:00 am I headed back to the inn to cool off (it was already 90 (f)
degrees), read the newspaper, and wait for Harry to drive me back
to the airport. The trip home was, as I said before, "uneventful."
A big thanks to everyone in "the big easy" for such a fun-filled,
yet relaxing time, just the little break I needed in the midst of
a very busy time upgrading my computer equipment and software. In
fact, instead of taking along my iBook, I took along a 712-page manual
on MAC System X to read on the airplane - I got as far as page 355!
By the way, AMERICAN AIRLINES, I don't know how you did it, but the
plane that I flew down in had the same model number as the plane I
returned in, yet seemed to be a bit longer - I'm had more leg room
on the southbound flight. Now, if the seat was tighter side to side,
I could understand, since I found the food in New Orleans irresistible,
but I know I didn't get any taller!
This is the "MID-WEEK
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE," part two of the issue we sent out on
Monday. The MONDAY issue included the regular "Major Rooms"
& "Cabaret Stars in Other Rooms" listings for cabarets
around the world, and also has information on all the banner ads running
on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website. Soon, the Monday issue will
also include listings of shows offering discounts to CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE members. This "MID-WEEK" issue will concentrate more
on news, late breaking stories and notes on shows seen.
Once again, I send a great big thank you to all the many folks who
have joined or rejoined as members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE in just
a bit more than six weeks into our 2003-2004 membership drive! It
is really thrilling to see several brand new members join, and so
many folks rejoining. Note that every membership donation I receive
is acknowledged within about 48 hours with a form e-mail letter. Please
check that the amount on the acknowledgement agrees with the donation
sent (I have sent out over nearly 200 so far, and I am not infallible).
Note: About a dozen folks have sent in checks made out to CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE rather than simply Stu Hamstra, and I have been returning
them with an explanation.
LAST CHANCES TO SEE "RHAPSODY
IN SETH"
You have just four more
chances to catch Seth Rudetsky's one-man show at ACTORS' PLAYHOUSE
THEATRE (100 Seventh Avenue South, NYC - Tele-Charge: 212-239-6200)
since it is closing on Monday, August 25th (in spite of a great report
on the show in last week's NEW YORK TIMES). Monday 8:00 pm / Remaining
shows are on the 2nd through the 4th, Friday at 10:00 pm, Saturday
at 3:00 pm, and Sunday & Monday at 8:00 pm. In the show, Seth
discusses his obsession with high-belting Broadway divas, Gershwin's
"Rhapsody in Blue," and growing up in Long Island. Tickets
are $25-$35.
2003-2004 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
ENDS TODAY
If you appreciate receiving
these newsletters, and find the website useful, helpful and entertaining,
I hope you will consider becoming a member of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
this year. Nearly 200 folks have already signed up for 2003-2004.
You can join for just $20 (SILVER LEVEL), or get special discounts
and additional benefits with a $75 (GOLD) donation (20% discount on
banners, etc.). You might even consider becoming a sponsoring member
at a higher level. If you enjoy the MESSAGE BOARD, all the BREAKING
NEWS stories, the FAQs & TIPs about cabaret, the CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE e-mail newsletters, and all the other information and support
we provide here, now is your chance to show your appreciation and
become a supporting member - none of this would be possible without
your membership donations.
For information on becoming a contributing member of CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE, check at http://svhamstra.com/Membership.shtml
or else just send me a note at membership@svhamstra.com
with the single word "membership" in the subject line, and
I'll send all the details. You can even send your donation by credit
card via PayPal - http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/PayPalPayment.shtml!
If you make your donation by check, please make the check payable
simply to Stu Hamstra and send to 676A Ninth Avenue #120, New York,
NY 10036.
Remember, among many other benefits, every member of CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE has the opportunity to display one or more CDs for sale on
the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website for the full membership year -
another reason to join as soon as possible. CDs for sale by 2002-2003
members will be deleted from the website in a few days, so if you
currently have a CD on display, but have not yet rejoined, don't delay.
I will be sending out my annual "end of the membership year"
report this weekend as well to all 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 members,
with a summary of last year's events and a look ahead to the new membership
year.
THANKS TO OUR RENEWING CHARTER
MEMBERS!
The following two additional
charter members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE joined in the past week
for 2003-2004, making it the third year in a row that they have supported
the newsletter and the website:
Mary Pearson
Jerry Wichinsky
Nearly 200 folks have already joined for 2003-2004, and nearly half
are CHARTER members, who have supported CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE for
three years in a row, since our membership system began! We'll be
listing additional charter members each week as they join. Thanks
to all charter members for your continued support!
ITEMS OF NOTE
On this coming Sunday,
July 27th, EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, on the Radio over WBAI 99.5
FM and on the Internet at http://www.2600.com/offthehook/hot2.ram,
heard from 9:00 to 11:00 pm (ET), host David Kenney will broadcast
part one of a two-part focus on CD RELEASES OF 2003! "the first
six months!" Some of the CD releases to be samples are: "A
Good Day" Jessica Molaskey, "Peter Cincotti" Peter
Cincotti, "The Broadway Musicals of 1925" Original Cast
Recording, "Live at the Jazz Standard" Renemarie, "Michael
Buble" Michael Buble, "Brownstone - The Musical" Studio
Cast Recording, "Cafe Society" Lorriane Feather, "The
Maury Yeston Songbook" Studio Cast Recording, "Sail Away"
London Cast Recording, "Sings Gershwin" Frank Sinatra, "At
Las Vegas" Noel Coward and More! You are invited to e-mail your
comments and suggestions to David Kenney at: oldisnew@earthlink.net.
For more information, see
http://www.oldisnew.org/.
Seth Rudetsky's BROADWAY
CHATTERBOX at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788
- http://www.donttellmama.com/)
will feature as guest interviewee tonight, Thursday, July 24th at
6:00 pm Maureen Moore (Standby for Bernadette Peters in GYPSY). If
you have any interest in musical theater, you should be attending
these interview shows every Thursday. Cost is a $10 donation and 2-drink
minimum. Best of all, all proceeds go to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS
AIDS (http://www.bcefa.org/)!
For details, visit http://www.geocities.com/broadwaychatterbox/.
On the second Wednesday
of each month, the nationally syndicated radio program JIM LOWE &
COMPANY tapes three or four, 1 hour radio programs at THE FIREBIRD
RESTAURANT (363 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-586-0244). Their next
session is on Wednesday, August 13th from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.
The public is invited, free of charge. The program is carried on 40
stations from coast to coast. It can be heard in the New York City
area on Mondays on WRTN (93.5 FM). Bruce McNichols' The Smith Street
Society Jazz Band is the "house band" and each week celebrity
guests perform and are interviewed by Mr. Lowe. Guests on the 13th
will include Julius LaRosa (singing star), Sol Yaged (clarinet artist)
and Hank Jones (piano legend). For more information, check out RADIO
OKOM at http://www.okom.com/
where you can hear past shows, Trad Jazz and more.
On Sunday, August 3rd at
7:00 pm TheaterMania.com's Barbara & Scott Siegel will present
the opening night of a series saluting "The Best Cabaret CD's
of Our Time" at DILLON'S (245 West 54th Street, NYC - 212-307-9797).
On the first Sunday night of every month, Barbara & Scott will
choose two CDs and will host a celebration in honor of the artists
who created them. During the course of each evening the artists will
also display why they were chosen as each of them performs as many
as six songs of their choice. In addition, the selected CDs will be
played throughout the night and featured on the restaurant's sound
system for the rest of the month.
The first two picks chosen for the opening show are "Put a Little
Love in Your Mouth: The Songs of Amanda Green" (Hook Records)
and "Steven Lutvak: The Time it Takes" (Pemaco RD Records).
Amanda Green has added some special guest performers to perform her
songs, including musical theater stars Jonathan Dokuchitz, Julia Murney,
Jenn Colella and Brooks Ashmanskas. And there may be still more! There
is no cover, no minimum - reservations strongly advised.
Jerry Scott and Charlie
Lindburg are joining their piano bar talents on Monday night, August
4th from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at DANNY'S (342 West 46th Street, NYC -
1-212-265-8133 - http://www.dannysgrandseapalace.com/)
in a special benefit for Leonie Taylor, currently at the Village Nursing
Home for rehabilitation after suffering several broken bones in a
disastrous accident that also resulted in the death of Village icon,
"Mick the Quick." There is a suggested door charge of $20
per person. There will be door prizes, lots of entertainment and a
free buffet. A memorial for Mick will be held once Leonie is out of
the hospital so she can attend.
The Richmond/Ermet AIDS
Foundation presents a "One Night Only Cabaret" with the
cast of Best of Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera" on
Monday, on Monday, August 18th, at 7:30 pm at TEATRO ZINZANNI THEATRE
(Pier 29 on The Embarcadero at Battery, San Francisco, CA - 415-273-1620
- http://www.helpisontheway.org/).
Company members from the "Phantom" cast will join with some
of the cast from Teatro Zinzanni's "Love, Chaos and Dinner"
in an outrageous evening of music, comedy and dance. The show includes
performances by the New York Blues Diva, Sandra Reeves Phillips and
Lisa Vroman from the cast of "Phantom." Tickets: $35 &
$50 - Tickets for the cast wine and dessert party following the performance
are an additional $25.
Lampkin Music Group will
present Alexandra Billings in "The Story Goes On," a live
CD recording event, on Thursday & Friday, August 28th & 29th,
at 8:00 pm at THE THEATER BUILDING (1225 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago,
IL - 773-374-5252). Tickets are $20.00. Songs include: The title song,
"The Music That Makes Me Dance," "Rose's Turn,"
"Angels, Punks and Raging Queens," and "Bill,"
written especially for Ms. Billings by Michael Thomas, creator of
the hit comedy farce "Hamlet - The Musical." The show is
directed by Stephen Rader, with musical direction by Russ Long.
NEED TO PROMOTE YOUR SHOW?
Plenty of BANNER AD spaces
on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website are currently available for
the month of August. Then things begin to heat up for September &
October. Keep in mind, I limit the ads to 20 banners per week, so
if you plan to order a banner, reserve your banner space as soon as
possible. If you are looking for the ideal place to promote your show,
you too should consider the premier cabaret-only publication in the
world: CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE! Over 6,000 quality, cabaret-loving
folks visit our website each day - and they look at on average of
6 or 7 pages each. Banner ads are displayed at random in two places
on nearly all 2,500+ pages. This means your ad could be seen as many
as 3,000 times each day, 21,000 times each week!
In addition, those running banners get mentioned every week in the
Monday issue of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE e-mail newsletter (current
circulation nearly 2,500) as long as the banner is running. Even more
important, you can run a banner for 2 weeks on CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
for just $80 - in full color - with a "live link" to your
website, if applicable. That's before any member rebates or discounts.
For information on banner ads, check out the banner information page
on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/BannerHere.shtml),
or simply send me a note at banners@svhamstra.com
with the single word "Banner" in the subject line and I'll
send all the details.
SHOWS SEEN
One of the reasons why I went to two issues of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
per week (at least on a test basis) is that the single issues were getting
so filled with listings stuff, I had no room to mention shows seen and
other items of interest. I saw a few shows over the past week or so
that bear special mention.
At times I find it nearly impossible to write a review about a cabaret
show in the one-paragraph format I use in these newsletters. Such is
the case with the 4-person revue "Black & White Blues"
I saw on Monday night at LE CHAT NOIR (715 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans,
LA - 504-581-5812 - http://www.cabaretlechatnoir.com/),
so we are awarding it two paragraphs. With original songs, book &
lyrics by Ricky Graham and music composed, arranged and directed by
Harry Mayronne, this show boast a totally-talented cast featuring Russell
Hodgkinson, Heidi P. Junius, Jessie Terrebonne and Christopher Wecklein.
The show opens with three experienced (and jaded) waiters breaking in
a new "server" into the art of waiting tables. By the end
of the show, the young lady (Heidi) is fully "up to speed"
in the business, and along the way each of the servers tells their story.
One loves to be a waiter, while fully aware of the shortcomings of the
job. The second is working and saving for her dream - a restaurant of
her own. The third claims to be just working "temporarily"
waiting for that big break and a role in the theater, movies or TV.
The newcomer is searching for exactly what she wants, and sees this
job as a "holding pattern" while she decides. The show moves
along so fast, is filled with such excitement and action, the short
intermission about halfway through was a welcome time for all to catch
their breath.
There were so many great songs, so many great bits, and so many precious
moments, it is difficult to single out a few, but I'll try. "Cookin'
on TV" is a hilarious number that brings on stage Emeril, Julia
and Martha - who relate that it matters not what you cook, as long as
you have that TV contract. They say that truth is strange than fiction,
and this skit gives evidence that it is funnier as well. An amazingly
touching ballad, "Waiting Around," sung by Chris was a break
in the madness, and the song was one that could fit into any cabaret
show. The show has been a magnet for folks in the service industry in
New Orleans, many attending week after week.
"Black & White Blues" has been playing at LE CHAT NOIR
(715 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA - 504-581-5812 - http://www.lechatnoir.citysearch.com/)
for a full year, and continues every Monday night at 7:30 pm. I flew
down especially to see this show - and was so delighted I might just
fly down another weekend to catch this show. It has been selling out
week after week, so be sure to reserve your seat before booking your
flight.
On Saturday, July
26th, I attended a trio of shows, all featuring female impersonators,
starting with Joe Souza's "Souzacle" show at DON'T TELL MAMA
(343 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/)
at 5:30 pm, with musical director Rachael Kaufman. Mr. Souza performs
wearing a Wonder Woman" outfit and long brunette wig, complete
with golden lasso. This Wonder Woman" is a bit on the rotund side.
Showing a lot more thigh than is tolerable, Mr. Souza at one point climbs
atop the piano to sing - rather graphically - "Making Love Alone."
I guess if you can't stay on key, don't really have a pleasant singing
voice, and have only a single-minded way to interpret lyrics, this is
the way you go if you want to do cabaret. As the show progressed (or
I should say digressed), Mr. Souza seemed to lose enthusiasm for his
performance (as did I, but earlier on), with the final numbers done
almost by rote rather than with feeling. Not a show for children and
definitely not a show for thinking adults, unless you happen to be there
because you are writing a review.
Next I headed downtown for Peter Mac's "A Friend of Judy's"
show at UPSTAIRS AT ROSE'S TURN (55 Grove Street, NYC - 1-212-366-5438
- http://www.rosesturn.com/)
at 9:00 pm, with Rich McDermott at the piano. Mr. Mac has certainly
studied Ms. Garland's gestures, actions, vocals and look, and reproduces
them diligently and precisely to the point of boredom. He seems to be
much more preoccupied with the illusion, and forgets totally about putting
energy and feeling into the songs. In attempting to replicate one of
the most exciting women in entertainment history, he presents instead
a wooden, stilted Garland. The interminable, yet I assume accurate,
anecdotes of how the songs fit into Judy's life also work to slow down
the show. Mr. Mac has the talent and the ability to make his mark as
a Garland impersonator - provided he lightens up, goes with his instincts,
and allows a little more wildness into his act. He could also use a
musical director who is better able to handle the unexpected, rather
than the rote, giving Mr. Mac's Judy a chance to be properly explosive
and unpredictable.
Finally, I headed back uptown to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street,
NYC - 1-212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/)
to catch the final show of the July series of "Judy & Barbra
Live" at 11:00 pm. The show featured Steven Brinberg and Tommy
Femia, with the amazing David Maiocco at the piano. With this trio of
talents on the same stage, one should expect a fantastic show, and I
certainly was not disappointed. Playing to a sold-out and enthusiastic
house, both Steven, Tommy and David proved that they more than deserved
every award they have ever been given, and put themselves into the running
for a few future awards as well. But one knows from the start that these
three are not about winning awards, but presenting an exciting, entertaining
and fun-filled evening for their audience. In that task they more than
succeeded. Mr. Brinberg's vocals as Barbra were the best I've heard,
and Mr. Femia's vocals, while occasionally tattered, gave a performance
that reminded me of Judy in her later years - a time when I remember
her. There were duets, solo sections, and plenty of repartee - most
of which seemed unrehearsed and spontaneous. The show ran well over
an hour, yet seemed to fly by. As usual, Mr. Maiocco's arrangements
were unbelievable. There are few musical directors on the scene who
can handle the roller coaster antics of a Garland or a Streisand, much
less a Brinberg and a Femia in tandem. Mr. Maiocco handled it all with
aplomb. The result was one spectacular cabaret show - hopefully to be
repeated some time soon.
There will be more cabaret
mini-reviews in the next Mid-Week issue of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
newsletter. I have also been collecting them for a special section
of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/)
where I can expand on my comments and include a photo when possible.
I will also be adding several that will not appear in the e-mail CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE issues. I'll let you know when they are posted.
HOTLINE MEMBERS GET CABARET
DISCOUNTS!
Your membership takes on extra value this year, since you can use your
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE membership card for discounts on select shows
around the country. And any show that offers a discount (can be 2 for
1, or 1/2 price or $5 off cover) to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members will
now be included in a special new section the MONDAY issue of the newsletter
and will also be listed on the special MEMBER DEALS page in the CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/MembersOnly.shtml).
To be eligible for a listing in this section and on the website, you
must send me your flier and/or other promotional material showing the
discount offer. I will use that information for the website and newsletter
listing. Please confirm that you have sent me the material with an e-mail
reminder so I can watch for it. Be sure you check with the venue where
your show is being performed, to make sure that these discounts are
permitted.
Another deal: If you place a banner ad on the website, and also offer
a show discount to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members, you can take a 10%
PayPal payment discount instead of the current 5% on your banner ad
payment, if the total cost of your ad is over $100. This is in addition
to any rebate or discount you might be entitled to.
CABARET NEWS ON THE WEBSITE
Information about other shows around the country and around the world
can be found on the BREAKING NEWS page of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/).
How do you get an item posted in the BREAKING NEWS section of the CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/)?
Just e-mail me a press release of at least four paragraphs, giving the
complete information on your show, CD release or other cabaret related
event. Include photos in jpg or gif format if available.
Please send me complete information - and do not merely e-mail me a
copy of your flier or a reference to a website. With two newsletters
going out a week, I don't have enough time to look these things up,
and often have to simply toss out incomplete items. By the way, I usually
trim quotes from reviews from the press releases I receive before using
the item on my website or in the newsletter, so don't count them when
putting together the four or more paragraphs.
IT'S TIME TO GO - MORE ON
MONDAY
Hopefully I will be all caught up with new items for the BREAKING NEWS
section on the website, mailing of membership cards and CDs to new GOLD
members after this weekend. I will be seeing just two shows tonight
- Seth Rudetsky's BROADWAY CHATTERBOX at 6:00 pm and Karen Mack &
Michael Holland's "GASHOLE - The Summer Wind" show at 7:00
pm, both at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788
- http://www.donttellmama.com/).
Then I have no show reservations until Sunday night at 8:00 pm for the
Siegels' CD show at DILLON'S (245 West 54th Street, NYC - 212-307-9797).
PitneyBowes finally delivered the stickers I needed in order to use
my new postage meter for the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE snail-mail mailings
this morning. I printed up all 200 temporary CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
membership cards on my color printer and have all the envelopes I need.
All I have to finish is updating my database so I can print out labels.
I decided to send out the mailings in batches - about 50 at a time.
Time to e-mail this issue off - and one more plug. I hope a lot of you
will sign on as CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members this year, The first
year we tried this we almost hit 300 members, and this past year we
passed the 350 member mark (nearly a 20% increase). A similar increase
this year would bring us over 400 members.
But most of all, your membership donation is a way for you to encourage
me in my efforts to promote the art of cabaret, and support this newsletter
and the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/).
Your continued support is truly appreciated! You have no idea what it
feels like to open my mail - or check my e-mailbox - and find a membership
donation from folks around the country and around the world. Each donation
gives me tangible evidence that my efforts are appreciated.
And that is just about the way it was.
Hugs & Stuff,
STU
Event listings
are provided for the information of users only. They are not provided
with the intention that users rely upon the information therein for
any purposes. Accordingly, Cabaret Hotline Online, and/or Stuart V.
Hamstra shall under no circumstances be liable for any loss or damage,
including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill or indirect
or consequential loss arising out of any use of or inaccuracies in
this information. All warranties express or implied are excluded to
the fullest extent permissible by law.
Back
to Late News Index Page
Back
to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE Home Page
 If
you would like to receive a free e-mail subscription to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE,
please e-mail cabarethotline@svhamstra.com
and place the single word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Note:
Your subscription will be sent to the e-mail address you subscribe from - and
please include your real name along with the city where you live.
NOW
YOU CAN JOIN CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE!
|
