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CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE #030906 - MIDWEEK - Thursday, September 18, 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!
This is the "MID-WEEK"
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE. The MONDAY issue includes the regular listings
for cabarets around the world, and also has information on all the
banner ads running on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website plus listings
of shows offering discounts to CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members. This
"MID-WEEK" issue covers other news, late breaking stories and notes
on shows seen.
GET THOSE HATCHES BATTENED!
ISABEL IS ON THE WAY!
From the news today, it
looks like everyone along the Eastern Seaboard is "batting down the
hatches" to prepare for the approaching hurricane called "Isabel."
We are told to prepare for heavy winds and rain, here in NYC, with
most of the storm to pass to the south and west of here. I still plan
on catching a few shows tonight, so I hope my $3 umbrella is up to
the task. Over 200 folks have signed up for my "NYC CABARET BULLETIN"
service, so if I hear of any show cancellations, I will pass along
the word to members of that list.
If you would like to be a part of this CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE NYC
Bulletin List, please click below and then hit send - the subscription
will be automatic (AOL users may have to copy and paste this subject
line into their e-mail browser). You will receive confirmation of
this special subscription.
mailto:subscribe@svhamstra.com?subject=NYC-BULLETIN-SUBSCRIPTION
If you have news of a show cancellation in the NYC area, that you
feel should be broadcast via this system, please let me know. If I
feel it is appropriate, I will send the bulletin to all on this special
list.
MAMA ROSE'S OPENS
When cabaret professionals
and performers build a cabaret room, you know that the comfort of
the performer and the audience are the focus of the venue, and this
is the case with the "new kid in town," MAMA ROSE'S (219 Second Avenue,
NYC - 212-533-0558 - http://www.mamaroses.net/).
It is the only club in town not connected to a piano bar, a restaurant
or a hotel. It is just for cabaret, and the designers spared no effort
in their goal to make it the best spot to perform in town.
The room has a capacity of 86, a 2,000 watt sound system with 16 channels,
a 500-watt stage monitor, 8 equalizers, 6 speakers and 2 monitor speaker,
with sound design by Damien Conte. There are 24 lighting channels,
with lighting design by Bobby Kneland. The room has decorations designed
by Chris Haley. I was told that they were still finishing all the
work on the room the afternoon of the first show on Monday, September
15th.
You climb a short flight of stairs that lead from the sidewalk to
a small balcony, overlooking Second Avenue, to enter the room, and
you actually enter next to the stage, facing the audience - a note
of caution to habitual latecomers. There is a second door, actually,
for latecomers and earlyleavers at the side of the space, about half
way into the room, but entering and exiting unnoticed is nearly impossible.
The first thing that catches your eye is the white baby grand piano
to your left, mounted on a fairly large raised stage. It is an extremely
high-ceilinged room, with white walls and massive banks of lights
hanging over the stage area. At the back of the room is the light/sound
podium and the service bar. I was impressed by the spacious feeling
you get when you enter, and the comfortable seating (in spite of the
fact that this was a sold-out performance). There was no attempt to
crowd 6 chairs around a table intended for 4, and the waiters seemed
to be able to move freely from front to back.
Several areas of the walls have elegant collages designed by Ms. Haley,
featuring musical instruments, sheet music and swirling fabrics and
ribbons. The effect transports you into a feeling of celebration and
comfort.
Host for the evening was the booking manager for the room, Lennie
Watts, who showed not a bit of the exhaustion he must have been feeling
after spending several non-stop weeks getting the room into shape
for the big opening events, with two nights featuring K.T. Sullivan
and Mark Nadler in "The Melody Lingers On - Irving Berlin's American
Dream." Bravo to Lennie and his highly professional staff - working
a brand-new room, fully packed, on the opening nights had to be difficult,
but everyone did their part with ease and confidence. I know I shall
be visiting here often p and with pleasure. You can see the MAMA ROSE'S
schedule for the next few weeks on their website, http://www.mamaroses.net/.
MORE ABOUT THOSE DISCOUNTS
Giving a special discount
to your show to members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE (or other membership
organizations) is not meant to be just a way for folks to save money,
but also a way to get the word out about your show. The empty seats
are there - might as well fill them up! The very best advertising
around is called "Word of Mouth," and the only way to purchase that
type of advertising is to fill as many seats as possible - and to
attract new folks to your show who might not otherwise attend. That's
why they sell half-price tickets to Broadway shows. That's why the
airlines run special offers on low-traffic flights.
That's why so many folks are discovering the wisdom of giving special
discounts to their cabaret shows. And the advantage of the CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE Membership discount is that CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
Members are internet-savvy, and can help spread that word-of-mouth
information immediately to their other cabaret-attending friends.
You don't have to join CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE to extend the discount
- just add the line to your flier, your press release and other show
announcements.
See http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/MembersOnly.shtml
for the discounts being currently offered. For information of becoming
a member of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE to take advantage of these discounts,
see http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/Membership.shtml
A BIG THANK YOU NOTE
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 our 2003-2004 membership drive!
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. We passed the
285 mark, and are heading for 300.
Note: Please make sure that your checks are made out to Stu Hamstra,
rather than CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE. I have had to send back several
checks.
ITEMS OF NOTE - SORT OF
ORGANIZED BY DATE
JOHN DOSSETT GUEST AT
CHATTERBOX TONIGHT
At Seth Rudetsky's BROADWAY
CHATTERBOX at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788
- http://www.donttellmama.com/
) tonight, Thursday, September 18th at 6:00 pm, Broadway's John Dossett
is guest interviewee. 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/.
KAYE TUCKERMAN & DAVID
HAWKINS ARE "MUFTEE" GUESTS AT STABLES THIS WEEKEND
"MufTee: Casual Cabaret"
with Hayden Tee features guests from theater & cabaret at 11:00 pm
on Fridays & Saturdays at STABLES THEATRE (10 Nimrod Street, Kings
Cross, Sydney - Tel: 9250-7799). This weekend, September 19th & 20th,
Kaye Tuckerman and David Hawkins are special guests. "Muff-Tee" provides
a unique meshing of cabaret performance with special guests and audience
interplay, and is in its fourth month.
"EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW"
FEATURES ELLA - The Later Recordings
On this coming Sunday,
September 14th, 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 feature the
music of Ella Fitzgerald - the later recordings post-1956. Some of
the songs you will hear are: "Ten Cent A Dance" from THE RODGERS AND
HART SONGBOOK, "The Nearness Of You" in duet with Louis Armstrong,
"I Gotta Be Me" recorded live at Carnegie Hall, July 5th, 1973 and,
of course "Mack The Knife" from ELLA IN BERLIN recorded February 13th,
1960. David will play four renditions of "In The Still Of The Night"
written by Cole Porter, with performances by: Billy Eckstine, Ella
Fitzgerald, Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, and a brand new recording
by Barbara Fasano. Plus lots 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/
.
ONE NIGHT STANDS AT MAMA
ROSE'S
MAMA ROSE'S (219 Second
Avenue, NYC - 212-533-0558 - http://www.mamaroses.net/)
presents a week of "One Night Stands" featuring 6 nights of one-time-only
events. Some of cabaret's hottest performers bring back some of their
most popular shows. All shows are at 9:30 pm, with a $15 cover, 2-drink
minimum. The reservation phone number is open 24-hours. I suggest
getting your reservation in as soon as possible.
Sunday, September 21st, Julie Reyburn presents "Fate Is Kind," her
multiple award winning debut!
Monday September 22nd, Jay Rogers presents "Reheated," a grab bag
of his hits!
Tuesday, September 23rd, Lina Koutrakos and Dick Gallagher do bits
and pieces of every cabaret show they ever did!
Wednesday September 24th, Michael Vaccaro presents "Child Of The 70's."
Thursday, September 25th, Jenifer Kruskamp presents an evening of
music in a rare cabaret performance.
Friday September 26th, Eric Michael Gillett presents "Cast Of Thousands"
his critically acclaimed Craig Carnelia show!
CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL
SALUTES CY COLEMAN TONIGHT
For its annual celebration
of living composers, the Chicago Humanities Festival will present
Cy Coleman at a special pre-Festival evening of music and merriment
tonight, Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 pm at the MERLE RESKIN THEATRE
(60 East Balbo Avenue, Chicago, IL - 312-922-1999). Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune theater critic, will interview Mr. Coleman on stage,
followed by acclaimed Chicago singers performing hits from Coleman
musicals. Also appearing on stage is Broadway star Lillias White.
She is the quadruple winner of the 1997 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award,
Outer Critics Award and the People's Choice Award for Best Featured
Actress in a Musical for her performance as Sonja in Coleman's THE
LIFE. ASCAP Assistant Vice President, Michael Kerker is producer and
emcee for the evening. Tickets are $75, $40, and $10 per person. There
are also a limited number of free tickets for students and teachers.
CONCERT CELEBRATES AUSTRALIAN
PERFORMERS
THE YORK THEATRE at Saint
Peter's Church (619 Lexington Avenue, NYC, Entrance on 54th - 212-935-5820
ext. 25 - http://www.yorktheatre.org/)
(James Morgan, Artistic Director, Louis Chiodo, Consulting Managing
Director), will present a celebration of new theatrical talent from
Australia this Saturday, September 20th, at 8:00 pm. The concert will
feature singers Simon Gleeson, Natalie OäDonnell and Deone Zanotto,
dancers Ashley Warren and Adam Williams. Music Director is Luke Hunter.
All have significant credits in Australia, and none have appeared
previously in the United States. Tickets for the event are $45, $75
and $150 (the last two include priority seating and a reception following
the performance).
17th ANNUAL BROADWAY FLEA
MARKET THIS SUNDAY
Jim Caruso, along with
NYC Radio Personality Jason drew will be hosting the Celebrity Autograph
Table at the 17th Annual BROADWAY FLEA MARKET in Shubert Alley at
West 44th Street, NYC this coming Sunday, September 21st from 11:00
am until 4:00 pm. Here is the schedule of folks appearing to sign
autographs (in return for your donation to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS
AIDS.
11:00 am ® 12:00 Noon: Real Andrews, Thom Christopher, Stephanie D'Abruzzo,
Christian Borle, Delta Burke, Kerry Butler, Martha Byrne, Hunter Foster,
Ann Harada, Dana Ivey, Rebecca Luker, Joe Machota, Tina Madigan, Mary
Beth Peil, Chita Rivera
12:00 Noon ® 1:00 pm: Bradley Cole, Ellen Dolan, Harvey Fierstein,
Eileen Fulton, Ricky Paul Goldin, Joel Grey, Dick Latessa, Jeff McCarthy,
Matthew Morrison, Denis O'Hare, Elizabeth Parkinson, Louise Pitre,
John Selya, John Tartaglia, Ashley Tuttle
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Mario Cantone, Sean Dugan, Lesli Kay, Nathan Lane,
Beth Leavel, Grayson McCouch, Donna McKechnie, James Mitchell, Austin
Pendleton, Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Roger Rees, Peter Samuel
2:00 - 3:00 pm: Polly Bergen, Rebecca Budig, Marj Dusay, Tovah Feldshuh,
Patricia Elliott, Ilene Kristen, Barbara Luna, Donna Murphy, Bebe
Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Angelica Torn, Ann Wedgeworth
3:00 - 4:00 pm: Jennifer Bassey, Barbara Cook, Andre DeShields, Penny
Fuller, Randy Graff, Sandra Joseph, Swoosie Kurtz, Andrea McArdle,
Mark Menard, Betsy Palmer, Eden Riegel, Jana Robbins, Tamara Tunie,
B. D. Wong
All Appearances Are Subject To Change - Visit http://www.broadwaycares.org/
for more information.
SPIDER SALOFF TO PREMIER
SONG BY STRAYHORN IN CHICAGO
Chicago jazz vocalist
Spider Saloff will perform the World Premiere of a Billy Strayhorn
song given to Saloff by The Strayhorn Estate. The previously un-performed
beauty, a ballad written in 1935, is entitled "So This Is Love" and
will be heard for the first time on Monday, September 22nd at a special
Strayhorn concert at 7:00 pm in the STOREFRONT THEATER AT GALLERY
37, Center for the Arts, (66 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL - 312-472-8497).
The event regarding the controversial life and venerable music of
the of the jazz composer is called "Inside the A Train: The Songs
of Billy Strayhorn" and will be presented by the cast of the syndicated
radio series "Words & Music," Spider Saloff, Bill Sheldon, and Jeremy
Kahn.
The sample of the new Strayhorn song just went up online. To listen
check out http://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/.
BOSTON CABARET MEMBERSHIP
MEETING SEPTEMBER 22nd
The Annual BACA (Boston
Association of Cabaret Artists - http://www.bostoncabaret.org/)
Open House will be held on Monday, September 22nd at MAGGIANO'S LITTLE
ITALY (4 Columbus Ave, Park Square, Boston, MA). This will give folks
a chance to meet the officers, celebrate, chat, and join the organization.
More details on the BACA Website.
MAC MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22nd
MAC will hold its 2003
membership meeting on Monday evening, September 22nd, at 6:00 pm,
at THE CHURCH OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE (59th Street & Columbus Avenue,
NYC). You will have an opportunity to meet your new board members
and officers, and talk about plans for the coming year. Refreshments
will be served.
JOHNNY MERCER CD RELEASE
EVENT AT KING KONG ROOM
The "Johnny Mercer Jamboree"
CD release event, originally announced for September 15th has been
changed to September 22nd, at 10:00 pm at KING KONG ROOM at the Supper
Club (240 West 47th Street, NYC - 1-212-921-1904 - http://www.KingKongRoom.com/)
as part of Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY night. The CD is a recording of
the hit musical revue originally produced as part of The Chip Deffaa
Invitational Theater Festival (Fall, 2002). Guest performers expected
to appear are musical director and arranger of the event, Tex Arnold,
Keith Anderson, Bobby Belfry, Paul Bernhardt, Joyce Breach, Carolyn
Montgomery, Wendy Porter, Diane Schwartz and Christine Zino. The new
CD, which has been recorded by Original Cast Records, is hitting stores
now, with 4 bonus songs besides the 14 featured in the show. The CD
may be purchased at such leading stores as Tower, Footlight, and Colony
OR via the Original Cast Records website, at http://www.originalcastrecords.com/.
JULIE WILSON JOINS CHICAGO
CABARET PROFESSIONALS "GALA 2003"
On Saturday, September
27th, CCP (Chicago Cabaret Professionals - http://www.chicagocabaret.org/
) will hold "Gala 2003" titled "We Could Go On Singing - A Musical
Feast Celebrating 100 Years of American Popular Song" at MAXIM'S (24
East Goethe Street, Chicago, IL - Tickets: 312-409-3106). Special
guest at the event will be Julie Wilson. Cocktails at 6:00 pm, and
showtime is 7:00 pm. See the CCP website for details. Tickets are
$50.
"JUDY & ME" CAST IN BENEFIT
AT DILLON'S
JP Productions producer
Joseph John, of the hit cabaret play "Judy And Me," is producing a
one-night benefit show called "Searching For Aurora - Dewing What
We Can to Benefit Our Everyday Goddesses" at DILLON'S (245 West 54th
Street, NYC - RESV: 718-672-6714) on Monday, September 29th at 8:00
pm. The show will feature performers from the show "Judy and Me" and
singers from around New York City. The night will benefit The Phyllis
Newman Women's Health Initiative. There will be a $15.00 cover charge
which will directly donated to the cause, and there is also a $10.00
food/drink minimum. Cash only, no credit cards.
CABARET BENEFIT FOR 'ARTSPEAK'
IN DC
The Washington DC area's
award winning arts education program, ArtSpeak!, will kick off its
new season with a benefit dinner and concert featuring Alice Ripley
on Monday, September 29th, at 7:00 pm at MIMI'S (2120 P Street NW,
Washington, DC - 202-464-6464). Alice Ripley will be performing an
acoustic set featuring her own music from her album "Everything's
Fine." She will be joined on stage by a variety of guest artists.
Tickets for the benefit are $35, and include cocktails, dinner, dessert
with champagne, and the concert.
FREE CONCERT OF CABARET
& THEATER SONGS
On Tuesday, September
30th at 6:00 pm there will be a free show at THE DONNELL LIBRARY THEATER
(20 West 53rd Street, NYC - 212-265-3495 - Ext. 218), produced, directed
and hosted by John Znidarsic presented by Arts and Artists at St.
Paul's and The City of New York called "Discovered Treasures - new
classics of today and tomorrow." These are new THEATER and CABARET
songs written by today's freshest writers that are worthy of being
made classics in their own right.
FEATURED SONGWRITERS:
Tom Andersen, David Arthur, Charles Bloom, Mark Campbell & Stephen
Hoffman, Douglas J. Cohen, Frank Evans & Christopher Berg, Zina Goldrich
& Marcy Heisler, Ron Kaehler, Paul Katz & Michael Colby, Noel Katz,
Brian Lasser, Jeffrey Lodin & William Squier, James Merillat & John
Kenrick, Ben Moore, Rob Lindsey Nassif, Kim Oler & Allison Hubbard
and Richard Pearson Thomas.
FEATURED PERFORMERS:
Mana Allen, Tom Andersen, David Arthur, Richard Danley, Christopher
Denny, Rebecca Eichenberger, Jennifer Goode, Andrea Green, Maree Johnson,
Aaron Lazar, Eddie Korbich, Cindy Marchionda, Karen Mason, Christine
Pedi, Maureen Taylor and Michael Winther.
TIMELESS DIVAS NEXT SHOW
OCTOBER 26th
"TIMELESS DIVAS," produced
by ShaRell Productions (Sandi Durell - Producer, Shari Upbin - Director),
continues it's successful series with featuring "Wonderful Women over
40" in Theatre, Cabaret & Songwriting on Sunday, October 26th at 7:30
pm at the ENGLEMAN RECITAL HALL at the Baruch Performing Arts Center
(55 Lexington Avenue, NYC - RESV: 212-615-6966) with celebrity host
Leslie Uggams, and featuring Ann Duquesnay, Annie Hughes, Terri Klausner,
Amanda McBroom, Heather MacRae, Karen Saunders, Neva Small, Mary Stout
and Deborah Tranelli. More performers may be added. A portion of the
proceeds benefit the United Negro College Fund. There is a $50.00
ticket price which includes a pre-performance cocktail party at 6:30
pm. See http://www.durellproductions.com/sharell
for more information.
All prior evenings in this series have sold out quickly so you are
urged to make your reservation as early as possible.
HELP SAVE THE BOTTOM LINE
The doors may soon close
on a thirty year legacy. THE BOTTOM LINE (15 West 4th Street, NYC
- 1-212-228-6300) has been presenting live music since February 12,
1974, and is owned and operated by Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky,
who have been friends since childhood. With the economic downturn
in the NYC area, attendance to shows has declined. Now the club has
fallen substantially behind in paying the rent. The landlord, New
York University, has started eviction proceedings. The club has offered
to pay the current (and higher) rent bills on time, while paying off
the rent in arrears over a period of time. Unfortunately, NYU has
not been open to negotiating a long-term solution to the problem.
You might want to let NYU know how important the Bottom Line is to
the metropolitan area and what a loss it would be if the city was
downsized by another landmark - particularly if you are an alumnus
of NYU. Send a note to John Beckman assistant vice president of the
Office of Public Affairs at john.beckman@nyu.edu
or Lynne Brown, the VP for University Relations and Public Affairs
at NYU at lynne.brown@nyu.edu
and if possible, please send a copy to Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky
at SaveBLT@aol.com.
DID YOU FORGET?
I don't know what more
I need to say to persuade you to join CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE if you
haven't already done so. Frankly, I am a little disappointed. I have
tried to make the membership as inexpensive as possible, and this
year there are more benefits than ever - including discounts on selected
cabaret shows. If you find these messages and the information and
news on the website of value, then I hope you will consider becoming
a member, since I depend on your membership donations and banner ads
to make this service possible. Our new membership year began on July
6th and nearly 300 folks (out of 2,376 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE subscribers)
have already signed, but we're still a long way from our goal of 400.
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.), or become a sponsoring member at higher levels.
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.
SHOWS SEEN
One of the reasons why
I went to two issues of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE per week 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. This time
I will cover several shows that I saw earlier this year, and returned
for a second visit.
MARIEANN MERINGOLO AT
THE DUPLEX
Marieann Meringolo's show
at THE DUPLEX CABARET THEATRE (61 Christopher Street, NYC - 1-212-255-5438
- http://www.theduplex.com/)
is a CD release event, intended to introduce her new CD "Imagine,"
available through LML Music (http://www.lmlmusic.com/). I attended
the show on Thursday, September 11th. I could have written about this
show in last Friday's issue, but held off. You see, while the show
was well performed, and Ms. Meringolo's vocals were shining and glorious
(as usual) I was constantly irritated by the sound level at THE DUPLEX.
They say that as you get older, your hearing is not as sensitive,
so I don't know how the other folks in the room felt. The piano (Doyle
Newmyer) was "overmiked," the keyboard (Jim Brough) was far too loud,
and consequently, Ms. Meringolo was far too amplified in an attempt
to overcome this. Others on stage were John Loehrke on bass and Nydia
Mata on percussion. The effect was synthetic and artificial - sort
of like a Sarah Brightman concert. So I tolerated the show, and then
rushed home with the CD, and ah, what a difference! Check out this
recording, because that way you can see why Ms. Meringolo is a important
presence on the cabaret scene, and one of the most exciting interpreters
of lyrics today.
Marianne Meringolo has two more performances at THE DUPLEX CABARET
THEATRE (61 Christopher Street, NYC - 1-212-255-5438 - http://www.theduplex.com/),
on Thursdays, September 18th & 25th at 7:00 pm. Hopefully, either
someone at THE DUPLEX or Ms. Meringolo and her director will read
this and check on the sound level before the show. She has some of
the best vocals in the city, and deserves a better presentation than
this.
"A SPARKLING EVENING" AT
DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM
Phyllis Pastore, Anthony
Santelmo Jr., and Diana Templeton have teamed up to present "A Sparkling
Evening" at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (342 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-265-8133
-
) on Sunday nights in September at 8:30 pm. At each show, the
invite a guest to perform as well, and the guest I saw on the evening
of the 4th was Chuck Sweeney as Miss Peggy Lee. Musical director was
the amazing David Maiocco. Ms. Pastore opened the show, and sang several
of her (any my) favorite numbers, including a very passionate Shirley
Bassey medley, complete with kazoo/trumpet. Phyllis' set was followed
by one from one of the finest entertainers in town, Anthony Santelmo,
Jr. Mr. Santelmo adds an extra sparkle of enthusiasm to every song,
and his good cheer and big heart shines in every note. Anthony performed
several of his (and my) favorite songs, most with a hint of nostalgia
for a New York of old, when movies were a nickel, and shoemakers could
actually make shoes. A new favorite, Francesca Blumenthal's "Little
Luncheonette" has become a Santelmo standard. Mr. Sweeney, as Peggy
Lee, actually gave a slightly subdued performance, and the effect
was amazing. As I said in my review of his show currently playing
on Saturdays at DON'T TELL MAMA, in spite of his often shameless fun
at Ms. Lee's expense, there is an undercurrent of real admiration
for this singer/songwriter legend. Diana Templeton had the unfortunate
job of closing the show. While the other three are buoyant, exciting
entertainer/singers, Ms. Templeton is more vocalist, and consequently
her contribution was more subtle and calm and on a more serious note.
Plus, by this time the show had well surpassed the hour mark and was
headed for the 90-minute mark. As a result, the fast-moving show slowed
to a crawl, or like one of Ms. Templeton's songs put it, "A Slow Boat
to China." But with a little clipping and trimming, and perhaps a
rearrangement of the lineup, this could have indeed been "A Sparkling
Evening."
Phyllis Pastore, Anthony Santelmo Jr., and Diana Templeton continue
with "A Sparkling Evening" at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (342 West 46th
Street, NYC - 1-212-265-8133 - http://www.dannysgrandseapalace.com/)
with remaining shows on Sunday nights, September 21st & 28th at 8:30
pm. It's a great chance to avoid those miserable Sunday nights at
home and have some cabaret fun.
"THE MONEY SHOT" AT DON'T
TELL MAMA
A fun-filled show called
"The Money Shot" is currently happening at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West
46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/),
and features Chris Anderson, Tim Herman, Rebecca Kendall, Cheryl Orsini
and Kristen Dabrowski, with Ken Clifton on piano, Brian Petway on
bass and Justin Hines on percussion. I saw and reviewed this show
in April, when I wrote that "the show was a rollicking romp through
mostly familiar songs, but all given a different (and humorous) spin."
This edition, with a few changes, can be described with the same words.
The 30-something cast again gave an exciting performance, with imaginative
arrangements by musical director Tim Herman. Collect a talented cast,
great songs, a bouncy band and a goal of good fun, and you have a
great revue that will keep you laughing. The "Death by Disco" medley
is a gem - it will have you wanting to jump up and join in. The show
ends about 10 minutes too early (and that's the way every show should
feel).
"The Money Shot" continues at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street,
NYC - 1-212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/)
with remaining shows on Sundays, September 21st & 28th at 8:00 pm
and Mondays, September 22nd & 29th at 7:00 pm. Its a lot of fun, and
we can always use a little more fun these days.
There will be more cabaret
mini-reviews in the next Mid-Week issue of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
newsletter.
HAS HAMSTRA MELLOWED AFTER
ALL THESE YEARS?
For the folks that wrote
in asking why I have been writing only good reviews lately, I have
to admit that now that it takes me 45 minutes to get into Manhattan
to see a show, I have become far more selective in which shows I attend.
I check around with others writers, club workers, etc., and if I feel
I won't like a particular show, I skip it. Also, I have made a promise
to myself that I will take at least one or two nights off each week
if possible. The days of working at my computer from 7:00 am until
4:00 pm, then heading into town to see two or three shows, then returning
home around midnight, seven days a week, are over, too! I now try
to take one full day off each week - and feel a lot better, and even
lost a few pounds in the process (those two-drink minimums can really
add on the pounds).
But, when I see a bad show, I will call it exactly as I see it - in
the hopes that I don't hurt anyone's feelings (some critics delight
in that, I hear) but in an effort to let performers know that there
are certain standards to be met before they can call a performances
a "cabaret show" and also certain requirements to charging a cover.
By the way, I hold newcomers to a slightly different set of standards
than a pro - unless the newcomer has the audacity to charge a huge
cover for a mediocre or worse performance.
Cabaret is not a game, folks, where people can show off their boring
lives with slip-shod, half-baked performances. Cabaret is an art form
- and if you don't understand that, go out and buy the definitive
tome on the subject called "The Cabaret Artist's Handbook" edited
by Sherry Eaker of BACK STAGE magazine, culled from the BISTRO BITS
columns of the late Bob Harrington. It is an excellent place to begin.
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.
PLANNING ON RUNNING A
BANNER? BETTER PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!
BANNER AD spaces on the
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website selling our fast for September & October
- especially around the time of the October Cabaret Convention here
in NYC. Two weeks have already "sold out" and the others have just
2 or 3 spaces left. 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. 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! 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. 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.
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 send the details.
IT'S TIME TO GO - MORE
ON MONDAY
I dallied far to long
on writing the reviews in this issue, and now I have to hurry along,
catch a quick nap, and head into town. I really wanted to write more,
but now I am out of time - it is already 3:00 pm.
I sincerely hope that a lot more of you will sign on as CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE members this year. The more members we get, the more services
we can offer on the website and in the newsletter. Your membership
donation will also make it possible to get around to more cities and
maybe even finally be able to compensate some of the folks who have
been writing reviews and assisting in the website work - and maybe
attract more writers to contribute material, news and reviews. And
more members will ultimately mean more shows that offer discounts
to our members - making every membership more valuable.
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!
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.
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