The Salon Wrap-up For January 17, 2016 - "New Years Resolutions"

The first Salon of 2016 is here, and Salon is better than ever! We were very sad to report that host Mark Janas was out sick for the evening, but as our luck would have it the inimitable Matthew Martin Ward was at the ready to step in as Guest Host. As his name was announced, I was secretly hoping that we'd get to hear some of his fantastic music and voice in Classical Corner - and he did not disappoint! You can see my recap of his performance below.

Our Co-Hosts were the effervescent soul sisters, Savannah Brown & Chase O’Donnell! They kicked off our evening's theme of "New Year's Resolutions" asking a few people what they're resolutions were. They then segued into a charming and fun original song called, appropriately, "New Year's Resolution" where they included some patter dedicated to their time as co-hosts at The Salon.

For their mid-show set they did a hilarious mock audition for the "All White Diana Ross and The Supremes" where they got to share their up-tempo and ballad audition pieces, dance 4-5 different styles in a 5 minute dance call medley, and then ended the piece playing hilarious backups singers left without their lead. It's a a master class in BRINGING the triple threat - what a fantastic treat!

To close the evening they invited Joshua Dixon to sing a parody of "Barcelona" from Stephen Sondheim's Company.

Co-Hosts Savannah Brown and Chase O'Donnell!

On January 25th at 7pm, Savannah & Chase (Too Blondes) will be at The Metropolitan Room - 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 & also at The Crazy Coqs in London on February 29th. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com / https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs


Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

As Mark is not here this evening, this week's Classical Corner is lovingly renamed "Matthew's Corner." When it comes to New Year's Resolutions, Matthew said that he wants to write more songs. So he treated us to 3 songs that he'd written throughout his life, and we agree - more songs should be written! He started with a trunk song from his musical, The Last in Penthouse B - "Like A Child" (with lyrics by Peter Napolitano.) His second song, with hilarious and somewhat questionable lyrics by Stephen Cole, was "Dead Lovers Are Perfect." Incidentally - I remember this song from when our theme was, "Inappropriate Songs for Weddings & Funerals." Matthew is absolutely charming in his delivery! His final song of the segment was the powerful and gently sung ballad, "This Grey Day."


Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Savannah Brown & Chase O’Donnell
Rob Davis
Bobbie Horowitz
Michael Stromar
Joshua Dixon
Steve Bustamante
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Zach Wobensmith
Tanya Moberly
Ira Lee Collings
Amy Beth Williams


Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Matthew Martin Ward, Chase O'Donnell, and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Kyle Konacek 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:

Tuesday, January 18, 2016, 9:30pm: Joshua Dixon is singing in Kitty Skrobela's birthday celebration, "Kitty Skrobela Turns 75" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 7:00pm: Erin Cronican is appearing in "Gone Too Soon: A Trinute to Howard Ashman" hosted by Salon regular, Adam Shapiro, at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, January 21, 2016, 7:00pm: Bobbie Horowitz's series, "It's Just a Number!" returns, with Rob Davis as this month's honoree. Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday, January 25, 2016: Savannah Brown & Chase O’Donnell are appearing in "Too Blondes: A One Woman Show" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, February 4, 2016: Rob Davis encores his show, "Frank and Billie, and Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, February 8, 2016, 8:00pm: David Ballard is singing with the NYC Gay Men's Chorus in Alan Cumming's show "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs with Friends" at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, NYC.


We'll be back next week, January 24 with the theme: "Guilty Pleasures" with our Co-Host Stearns Matthews and our Salon Spotlight Raissa Katona Bennett & Kenneth Gartman.


Hope to see you there!


Erin Cronican

Blogette for the Salon
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