JOHNNY MERCER A TO Z LIVES ON AND ON AND ON
On Saturday, July 28th at 8:00 pm Leslie Anderson and Ricky Ritzel
bring the latest version of their multi-award-winning show "Johnny
Mercer A to Z" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC
- 212-206-0440 -
http://www.metropolitanroom.com/
). This presentation is subtitled "A Real Show!". The show returns
on Thursday, August 30th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, September 30th at
7:00 pm - each month a completely different program as Ricky and Leslie
celebrate one ofAmerica's most prolific songwriters, presenting his
songs in alphabetical order! The songs range from the standard to
the obscure to Broadway andHollywood. The show is directed by Jim
Luzar.
Ricky Ritzel has been a fixture on the nightclub and
cabaret scene in NYC for over 25 years and has received a host of
Cabaret awards including 13 Manhattan Association of Clubs Awards
in 8 different categories. He has performed all over the United
States as well as London and Paris. An accomplished solo performer,
Ricky has also accompanied such greats as Vivian Blaine, Ruth Warrick,
Arthur Prysock, Varla Jean Merman, Julie Wilson, Lenora Nemetz and
Miss Coco. With famed Chicago jazz vocalist Spider Saloff, Ricky
created several award winning revues such as "1938", which was recorded
on the Kopathetics label, "Porgy & Bess: a Cabaret Concert" and
"Ira and Others". His performance as Jimmy Durante in "Schnozzola!"
earned him critical raves and numerous awards.
Ricky is half of the kooky "Lounge does Top 40" duo,
THE LOUNGEOLEERS with 5 CDs on the Emenar label. As an actor his
roles include Snug in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Third Priest in
MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL, Dr. Rance in WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, Jonathan
in OH DAD POOR DAD... and various roles in HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN
FILM. He can also be seen as SCARY MAN who comes on to Christian
Campbell in the film TRICK. Ricky recently was seen in Las Vegas
as Jimmy Durante in "Stop the Music!" at the Cashman Theatre with
Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker. He also performed with Leslie Anderson
at the legendary New York Monkey Bar on East 54th. Since 2003, Ricky
and Leslie have been dedicated to the lyrics and music of Johnny
Mercer. They have presented four award winning revues featuring
the standards, obscure songs, movie songs and song he only recorded
as a vocalist.
Leslie Andersonn has been a piano bar/cabaret performer
for several years and her work has favored her with various awards
and opportunities. She has been asked to perform several times at
the Iridium Jazz Club and always enjoys the opportunity to work
with jazz aficionados. She recently received the 2007 Manhattan
Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Award for Outstanding Piano
Bar Performer and, along with her musical director, Ricky Ritzel,
they received the 2007 MAC Award for Best Revue for their "Johnny
Mercer Sings - the songs he didn't write" show. Leslie recently
appeared in Eric Michael Gillette's show "Hook Line & Singer" at
the Metropolitan Room, NYC. She also continues to perform weekly
in various piano bars. In December of 2005 she was returned to the
Broadway stage in a one-night-only AFA Benefit performance of "A
Wonderful Life". The concert starred Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy
Kuhn and David Hyde Pierce. Leslie also appeared on the Town Hall
stage performing in The Broadway by the Year Series show "Musicals
of 1929". Leslie has performed on Broadway with the National Actors
Theatre, working with such performers as Tony Randall, Jack Klugman,
and Jerry Stiller.
There os a $20 Cover plus a 2 Beverage Minimum.
$15 cover for
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