The Salon Wrap-Up for September 20, 2015 - "Celebrating The York Theatre’s 100 Musicals In Mufti"

September 21, 2015
Theme: “Celebrating The York Theatre’s 100 Musicals In Mufti”

We were thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite co-hosts - Jim Morgan, Producing Artistic Director of the York Theatre Company. Tonight we’re celebrating their innovative Musicals in Mufti Series, which presents shows that audiences might not otherwise have heard from yesteryear. Jim tells us that the word “Mufti” is an old East Indian word which means “in street clothes,” and it’s with that spirit that these musicals are presented. The cast gets together on a Monday and by Saturday they open the show and run for 2 weeks. The York just reached a milestone with these performances - 100 shows presented! The next Mufti Series is coming up in the spring and will be announced soon. I can’t wait to hear what is announced.

Jim talked a bit about the York’s commitment to youth education in the arts and announced that he had 6 special musical guests - students from Marymount Manhattan College would be featured in tonight’s co-host slots. Here’s a run-down of the amazing songs performed by The York’s guests over the evening:

Hayley Lampert gave us cheeky and wistful, “You’ve Got Possibilities” from It’s Bird It’s a Plane It’s Superman.
Austin Ryan presented the sweet and lilting title song from Fanny. 
May Yoshioka gave us a delightful, “Times Like This” from Lucky Stiff. 
Maddie Baillio sang a beautifully poignant, “You Are For Loving” from Meet Me in St Louis.
Elijah Caldwell brought in a powerful “Who Can I Turn To” from The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd.
Ramon Guzman performed what Adam Shapiro called “the famous song” from Minnie’s Boys, the lovely “Mama, A Rainbow.”

Our Salon Spotlight featured Bistro & Hanson Award Winner Amy Beth Williams! For Amy Beth’s set, she started with a glorious medley which she calls the Waterfront Medley, and concluded with a stunning and emotionally powerful, “Is She Beautiful.” Amy will be returning to Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – with her critically acclaimed show CRAZY TO LOVE YOU September 25th, October 6th, November 3rd & November 4th. All shows at 7:00pm. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

Salon Spotlight Amy Beth Williams!

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

What does Mufti mean to classical musicians? “It means this!” Mark says, brandishing a stack of single sheets of piano music and [thunk!] tossed it on the piano. He explained: When the York chooses pieces for their Mufti series, they choose pieces that haven’t been heard in a while. So Mark started to look through his collection of music and noticed a stack of single sheet of music, which stood out from the more typical volumes & books of music that he keeps. He noticed that these songs had not been played in a while, either because they’re either old or out of style or are not in the main repertoire, or they’re unusual for some reason. Mark then started playing from the stack, sharing some refrains we knew and some that were new to us - and each time he finished a section he threw the music over his shoulder and onto the floor. Hilarious!

He then told us that back when many classical pieces were written there were no recordings, and people would learn the music by playing it in the home (as most couldn’t get to opera or symphony performances.) And these pieces were not necessarily exclusive for piano, sometimes the music would be modified for a clarinetist or flutist, and often they would be written for more than two hands to play.

With that, Mark invited Matthew Martin Ward to join him the piano to practically SIGHT READ Mozart’s 4-Hand Piano Sonata in D Major. It was fantastic (lest there be any doubt) and incited a rousing standing ovation!