Theme: “Six Degrees of Leonard Bernstein”
Tonight was Salon's annual celebration of the birth of the great composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein was born on August 25th, 1918, and went on to a prodigal career as one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. Among his memorable works are On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide, and the immortal West Side Story. Salon host Mark Janas had the privilege of working with Bernstein many years ago, and is full of priceless anecdotes about the man and his music.
Our co-host tonight was Multiple MAC, Bistro, Nightlife & Julie Wilson Award Winner Julie Reyburn. Julie is well-known to Saloners, although her appearances with us have been fewer as her family has grown larger. It was a pleasure to have her back!
Mark and Matthew Martin Ward opened the proceedings with a two-handed arrangement of the Overture from Candide, and then Julie took the stage to sing Bernstein's hilarious "What a Movie!" from Trouble in Tahiti, with tropical backup by Adam Shapiro, Mark, and Matthew Martin Ward.
Julie's set in the second half of the show featured "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," (beautifully interwoven in the accompaniment with Bernstein's "Build My House"), the comic gem "The Boy From...", and the Maria-Anita duet from West Side Story, together with Salon producer Tanya Moberly.
Salon Spotlight: Adam Shapiro
Our spotlight tonight fell on Adam Shapiro, who will be making his debut at 54 Below on September 2nd. Adam is one of the stars of HBO's film "The Normal Heart," and his 54 Below show, entitled, "Nothing Normal," explores the word "normal" and what it may or may not mean. Accompanied by Matthew Martin Ward, Adam gave us a terrific mash-up of Fats Waller and Whitney Houston, an original song by Matthew Martin Ward and Peter Napolitano, "I'd Rather Be Doing This," and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too," from On the Town.
Quick Wrap: Classical Corner
Mark's Classical Corner tonight was devoted to the intricate and brilliant quintet from West Side Story. With the help of Matthew Martin Ward, Adam Shapiro, Janice Hall, Julie Reyburn, Rex Gillit, and David Ophein, Mark deconstructed the piece, highlighting the various vocal lines and meters, and explaining how Bernstein put it all together. After hearing all the separate themes, we put it all together, and the result was exhilarating.
Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
(click link to visit the singer’s website, when available)
Richard Eisenberg
Nancy Seabold
Gladys Nilsen
Elizabeth Schwartz
Ira Lee Collings
Adam Shapiro (Salon Spotlight)
Matthew Martin Ward
Janice Hall
Rob Davis
Kathy Biehl
Sabrina Chap, Noah Diamond, and "I'll Say She Is" ensemble
Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Sabrina Chap, Steve Bustamante.
Upcoming shows and appearances:
Monday, August 25, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, August 27th, 2014 (7:00 pm)- Elizabeth Schwartz will be doing her solo show, "It Must Have Been Moonglow," at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.
Monday, September 1, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 (9:30pm) - Adam Shapiro has his debut at 54 Below with, “Nothing Normal” (directed by Peter Napolitano, and featuring Erin Cronican on backing vocals) at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.
Friday, September 5, 2014 (7:00pm) Susan Hodgdon performs her Judy Garland show, "I Could Go On Singing," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Monday, September 8, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 (6:30pm) - Salon producer Tanya Moberly and tonight's Etceterette Maureen Taylor will be appearing in the Parks Concert Series, along with Salon regulars Adam Shapiro and Erin Cronican, at Tudor City Greens, NYC.
Monday, September 15, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 (7pm) - Ira Lee Collings is remounting his show, “Ira Lee Collings Sings Off The Charts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, September 21, 2014 (3pm) - Ira Lee Collings is remounting his show, “Ira Lee Collings Sings Off The Charts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Monday, September 22, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Friday, September 26, 2014 (8-10 pm) - Salon producer Tanya Moberly will be appearing on "The Falling Of The Leaves: A Concert of Songs by Dan Furman," at the Klavierhaus in Le Parker Meridien Hotel, NYC.
Monday, September 29, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 (7pm) - Ira Lee Collings is remounting his show, “Ira Lee Collings Sings Off The Charts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, October 5, 2014 (4pm) - Ira Lee Collings is remounting his show, “Ira Lee Collings Sings Off The Charts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Monday, October 6, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Monday, October 13, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 (7pm) - Marnie Klar is bringing back her show “Home” (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Monday, October 20, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Saturday, October 25, 2014 (7pm) - Barb Malley is appearing in a brand new show, celebrating her birthday and honoring Cabaret Cares, at Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Monday, October 27, 2014 (7-9pm) - Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward are producing a weekly open mic, with only a $7 cover! West End Lounge, 107th & West End Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 (9:30pm) - Marnie Klar is bringing back her show “Home” (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, November 16th, 2014 (4:00pm) - Julie Reyburn will take part in the MAC Songwriter Showcase, at Baruch Performing Arts Center – 55 Lexington Avenue, NYC.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (7:00pm) - Julie Reyburn will be part of the lineup for SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED at 54 Below, 254 West 54th St NYC.
COMING UP NEXT AT SALON
AUGUST 31ST: NO SALON!
Next Salon is on September 7, 2014. The theme is "Girl Talk-A Night of Song Honoring Women."
Our co-host will be Doris Dear, and the Salon Spotlight will be Sunny Leigh.
Janice Hall
Co-Blogette for The Salon
(Updates? Corrections? Email us)
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