The Salon Wrap-Up for July 26, 2015 - "Heroes, Villains, Kings and Queens"

July 26, 2015

Theme: “Heroes, Villains, Kings and Queens”

The Official President of MAC and the Mayor of Cabaret (not an official title) Lennie Watts reigned over the Co-Hosting last night at The Salon, and while he wasn't elected into this state, he certainly was a King (and, sometimes Jester) of the evening.  Lennie began the evening by relating that TimeHop (Facebook's ability to tell you what you were doing a year ago) had reminded him that morning that a year ago, he was Co-Hosting The Salon...hmmm...times have changed, Long Live the King!  He began the night with "Let Me Sing," which had us certainly tapping our feet and laughing, making him happy.  In his Act II set, Lennie did a trio of songs representing the theme. The first was The King himself, an Elvis song, "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You," performed with Lennie's signature soul-filled interpretation.  For the Heroes/Villains theme, he brought memories of his father, a POW from WWII, who would have shaken his head at the politics of today and what a hero means, with "I Don't Believe in Heroes."  But, like some stories end, the Villain can become a Hero, and sometimes who you thought was a Hero can become a Villain - thus, Lennie sang "I'm Changing" to wrap up his set.  At the end of the evening, he sang the theme from the movie Norma Rae (a Heroine amongst the workers),  "It Goes Like it Goes."

Lennie's next solo show will be "Shameless: The Lennie Watts Musical," September 29 and October 5, 12, and 19th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Lennie Watts

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight last night was Wendy Russell, who is part of Don't Tell Mama's "Mama's Next Big Act," and has her own show in October.  She began the Hero theme of her set with a lovely mashup of "Take Me With You, Soldier Boy" and "Soldier Boy," and then went into a description of her father, who was a writer for years with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dark Shadows, and One Life to Live.  She explained that while he could be difficult at times, he continued to be a good man, and then sang a gorgeous arrangement that perfectly paired "Something Wonderful" from The King and I with "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine" from  Show Boat. To showcase the work she and others have done in the Arranger Bootcamp she attended, she then encouraged the alumni in the audience to sing their parts on a intricately reworked "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan. Wendy can be seen on Wednesday, October 14th (7pm) and Saturday, October 24th (5:30pm)  in "Where Have I Been All My Life?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. It is Directed by Lennie Watts and musically directed by Steven Ray Watkins.

Quick Wrap: Steven's Corner

In his chance to shine in a corner, Steven Ray Watkins extolled one of his songwriting heroes, a singer-songwriter from the UK called Nik Kershaw who was claimed by Elton John to be "the best songwriter of a generation."  Steven went through three songs by Kershaw, and it was clear why this songwriter was a testament to great lyrics and melodies to match.  Steven first sang "Don Quixote," a wonderful questioning of whether our heroes are super, brave, or just crazy and tilting at windmills.  His next piece, "Dangerous Eyes," was a humorous warning that a woman's villainously attractive ways can certainly arise from behind modest glasses and appearance.  Steven's third song for his Corner was "Somebody Loves You," which was a gloriously beautiful love song from the point of view of a hero (super or not) to those that may not feel loved or heard.

Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):

Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.

All piano accompaniment by Steven Ray Watkins unless otherwise noted.

Lennie Watts
Natasha Castillo
Jim Speake
John DePalma
Josephine Peacock
Lynda Rodolitz
Lisa Viggiano
Eve Eaton
Carly Ozard
Rob Davis
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Janice Hall
Wendy Russell
Lennie Watts
Tanya Moberly
Ira Lee Collings
Barb Malley
Heather Villaescusa
Ann Dawson
Adam Shapiro

Richard Eisenberg
John Koprowski
Lennie Watts

Special thanks to tonight’s pianist: Steven Ray Watkins!

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: Metrostar Competition every Monday night until August 17, 2015. At The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Ongoing: Mama's Next Big Act every Tuesday night until August 25th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Weds, July 29, 2015 (6:30pm) - "Music and Art For City Greens" at Tudor City Greens, 25 Tudor City Pl, New York, NYC.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 (6pm) - Charles Baran hosts "Saturdays at Six" featuring Janice Hall, Reverend Yolanda, Molly Gazay, and Joshua Bennett at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, New York, 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.

Thursday, August 6, 2015 (8pm) - David Ballard hosts "Starting Here!" a new composers/new songs showcase at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, New York, 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.

Saturday, August 15, 2015 (7pm) - Karen Carpenter tribute (with Natasha Castillo and Adam Shapiro) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015  - Robin Kradles and her Hot Box Girls, at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 - Heather Villaescusa in "What I Did For Love" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, September 20, 2015 - Heather Villaescusa in "What I Did For Love" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4:30pm) - Barb Malley in "Eat! Drink! Be Merry!" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, September 28, 2015 - Lennie Watts in "Shameless: The Lennie Watts Musical,"at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, September 20, 2015 - Heather Villaescusa in "What I Did For Love"at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 - Ann Dawson in "Traveling Solo,"at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Monday, October 5, 2015 - Lennie Watts in "Shameless: The Lennie Watts Musical,"at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, October 12, 2015 (7pm & 9:30pm) - Sierra Rein and other Los Angeles/NYC original casts in "bare" Reunion Concert at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 12, 2015 - Lennie Watts in "Shameless: The Lennie Watts Musical,"at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Monday, October 12, 2015 - Lennie Watts in "Shameless: The Lennie Watts Musical,"at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 (7pm) - Wendy Russell in "Where Have I Been All My Life?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, 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.

Saturday, October 24, 2015 (5:30pm) - Wendy Russell in "Where Have I Been All My Life?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - Ann Dawson in "Traveling Solo,"at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd 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.

Tuesday, November 11, 2015 - Rob Davis in "Rob's Big Birthday Celebration: Frank, Billie and Me!" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd 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 - Bits and Pieces!

Bits and bobbles, cuts and pastes, cutouts and tiny chunks of music - however you're going to interpret that, it will be a huge night!  Guest Host and Pianist will be Barry Levitt, and our Co-Hosts will be the knockout duo Dana Lorge and Warren Schein!

Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
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