July 19, 2015
Theme: “To Thine Own Self Be True - Celebrating Uniqueness”
Lemme tell ya about a gal who self-proclaimed herself to be "Betty Rubble on Acid." She's got an accent, she's got a streak of pink in her hair, and last night, she Co-Hosted The Salon. Her name is Fran Leonardis, and her unique energy, voice and whip-like wit and humor drove the momentum of Sunday's open mic night with vim and verve. Not to be upstaged by anyone, Ricky Ritzel was at Fran's side to Guest Host while Mark Janas is away at BuckHill Skytop, and with Ricky's expertise at the piano and Fran at the host mic, everyone was in good hands all around.
Fran charged up to the stage in her platform sandals to start the evening off with the song "Slow Boat to China." For her Act II opening set, she reached into her nearby past to sing "Some People" from Gypsy, harkening back to her role of Mama Rose last year, and included some gentle (or not) jokes about her own father, "Pancho." She next sang "Oklahoma?" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels wearing a cowboy hat. To finish, she hilariously-intro'd "Where the Boys Are" (complete with mentions of Fire Island in Joseph Macchia's teenaged diary). At the end of the evening, she brought all her dreams to life as she sang "Rich, Famous and Powerful," and everyone who had ever been in an audition room wholeheartedly applauded. After a selfie stick picture with Fran and the entire room, we all departed!
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| Selfie at The Salon! |
Fran and all her unique glory can be seen in her upcoming show "Follow Your Arrow" at The Metropolitan Room, 7/29 at 7pm, 8/1 at 7pm, 8/16 at 1pm and 8/22 at 4pm. Ricky Ritzel will be Music Director, and Director will be Joseph Macchia.
Salon Spotlight
Our Salon Spotlight was singer-songwriter Carol McCann, who was backed up vocally by Mary Foster Conklin and John Di Pinto (who also played piano). Carol showcased her big vocals with the strong "Son of A Preacher Man," which had us all tapping out feet and bopping our heads. She then went into a parody of "Like a Rolling Stone" which asked the question "How does it feel...to be old...er?" I'm no spring chicken, so I laughed along with all those in the room who related to the clever and number-masking lyrics. She completed her set with an original work, a gorgeous pop ballad with a mature heart entitled "The Love Along the Way." Carol's show "What is Hip" will perform at The Metropolitan Room on July 21, 2015 and July 30, 2015, both shows at 7:00pm.
Quick Wrap: Ricky's Corner
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| Carol McCann |
Ricky Ritzel commanded his corner of the room, threw everything he had into his voice and commanded Ethel Merman's very unique demeanor back from the dead to sing a few "hit?" songs from the musical Happy Hunting, a notoriously difficult show for Merman, partly because of the divisive relationship she had with co-star Fernando Lamas. Ricky regaled us with stories from the rehearsal and performances, and sang parts of the show, including tidbits from "It's Good to Be Here," "Mr. Livingston," "This is What I Call Love" (Merman's first 'love song), "The Game of Love" and the title song "Happy Hunting," the lyrics of which caused much groaning of many people in the room. I looked up this musical, and here's a quote from Time magazine: "...it is more than just not out of the top drawer, it is from a discontinued line of furniture." Ouch!
Ricky will be bringing back his immensely popular "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway: Hello, Dolly!" show (starring Sidney Meyer as Dolly) at Don't Tell Mama this Sunday, July 26th at 6:30pm. He will bring a new set of musicals to this series, "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway: Guys and Dolls/Follies/A Funny Thing Happened..." (starring Lennie Watts) on August 26th, 2015.
Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Ricky Ritzel unless otherwise noted.
Fran Leonardis
Bob Diamond
Elaine St. George (CD link here)
David Ballard
Christina Aranda
Virginia Hill
Michael Colby
Alan Tulin
Donna Kendall Stearns (self on piano)
Annie Lebeaux (self on piano)
Jaye Maynard
Carol McCann & Mary Foster Conklin (with John Di Pinto on piano)
Ricky Ritzel
Fran Leonardis
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (on piano)
Ira Lee Collings
Richard Eisenberg
Heather Antonissen
Rob Davis
Fran Leonardis
Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Ricky Ritzel, Matthew Martin Ward, Annie Lebeaux, Matthew Martin Ward, and John Di Pinto!
And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!
Upcoming shows:
Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.
Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro plays every Tuesday (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC and every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.
Ongoing: Every Sunday at 10:30pm, David Ballard produces "Starting Here!" A new songs by new composers showcase at Room 53, 314 West 53rd Street.
Ongoing: Metrostar Competition every Monday night until August 17, 2015. At The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 (7:30pm) - "Mama's Next Big Act" - catch Barb Malley and Ira Lee Collings, part of the Fabulous Fourteen, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 (7pm) - Carol McCann in "What is Hip" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 (7pm) - Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number" series at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Thursday, July 23, 3015 (7pm) - Summer Cabaret Festival at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 (7pm) - Fran Leonardis in "Follow Your Arrow" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Monday, July 27, 2015 (7pm) - Sally Darling in "Perspectives" with Matthew Martin Ward, Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, July 30, 3015 (7pm) - Carol McCann in "What is Hip" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Friday, July 31, 2015 (7pm) - Sally Darling in "Perspectives" with Matthew Martin Ward, Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, July 31, 2015 (7pm) - Charlotte Patton in “Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts)” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Saturday, August 1, 2015 (7pm) - Fran Leonardis in "Follow Your Arrow" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, August 14, 2015 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, August 16, 2015 (1pm) - Fran Leonardis in "Follow Your Arrow" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Thursday, August 20, 2015 (7pm) - Charlotte Patton in “Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts)” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Saturday, August 22, 2015 (4pm) - Fran Leonardis in "Follow Your Arrow" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.
Monday, October 12, 2015 (7pm & 9:30pm) - Sierra Rein & other Los Angeles/NYC original casts in "bare" Reunion Concert at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.
Next Week - Heroes, Villains, Kings & Queens!
Sharpen your swords, your teeth, and polish your Crown Jewels - next Sunday we will be celebrating the good, the bad, and the bejeweled, with Guest Host Steven Ray Watkins and Co-Host Lennie Watts! Our Salon Spotlight will be Wendy Russell. Be there, or there's a train track just fit for you to be tied to...MWAHAHAHAHA!
Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Catch a mistake or update needed? Email me
Blogette for The Salon
Catch a mistake or update needed? Email me
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