Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for March 20, 2016 - "Leap of Faith"

It takes a leap of faith to get things going
It takes a leap of faith you gotta show some guts
It takes a leap of faith to get things going
In your heart you must trust
- Bruce Springsteen

Hi, Saloners!  Candice Oden here.  Erin was ill this week, so ... I'm who ya got! ;)

This was a wonderful week to sub.  The optional theme for this evening's Salon was "Leap of Faith," and our co-host was the wonderful (not to mention famous) Carole Demas.  Her warmth and generosity that she shares with every single person in the room make it clear that the stage is her home.  Carole is most famous for originating Sandy is the musical Grease.  She has also shared her talent by originating the title role in "The Baker's Wife," stepping in for the marvelous Sarah Rice as Louisa in "The Fantastics," and several other productions in musical theater; and she has moved into television, as well.  Maybe she'll take a day off one of these days. ;)

Tonight, Powerful was Carole's middle name.  She opened the evening with the ever-talented Sean Harkness and Ian Herman doing a powerful rendition of "The Angels Sing," and started the second set (with Sean Harkness) with a wonderful arrangement of "The Man Who Sends Me Hone," followed by "Spring Can Really Hang You Up."  She then brought us on a trip to her past with a (What's that word? Yep -- powerful and) very moving "Meadowlark."  To close the evening, the beautiful and talented Sarah Rice joined her to sing an incredible duet of "A Way To Remember" -- harmonies so beautiful, it was the perfectly sweet way to end the evening.



Our Salon Spotlight for the evening was the fabulous, funny and INCREDIBLY talented duo Mark Sonnenblick and Sam Bolen, who performed songs from their show "Midnight At The Never Get," which was conceived by the pair and even written by Mark himself.  Their performance included the show's songs "Mercy Of Love" and "Wallace Falls."  If you enjoyed this night's performance (How could you not?), you MUST go see the show.  They have four performances: Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30pm; Saturday, April 9th at 8:00pm; Monday, April 11th at 7:00pm; and Thursday, April 14th at 9:30pm.  Don't miss it. :)





Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnd..... Yet again, Mark created another extraordinary one!  He started by playing a recording of Randal Thompson's highly celebrated choral arrangement (this recording was performed by the Berlin Chamber Chorus) of "Alleluia." Thompson's arrangement of the song is actually quite sad and haunting even, so it is incredibly fitting that Mark played and moved us into the Mozart arrangement sung by the always-angelic Sarah Rice.

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

Barbara Malley
Richie Eisenberg
Bobbie Horowitz
Madeleine Warren
Charles Baran
Steve Bustamante
Ira Lee Collings (with John Cook at the piano)
Josephine Sanges (with John Cook at the piano)
Joseph Mulholland (Poetry!)
Marnie Klar
Tanya Moberly (with Sean Harkness at the guitar)
*Moi*
Ira Lee Collings [encore performance]
Josephine Sanges [encore performance] (with John Cook at the piano)
Barbara Malley [encore performance]
Bobbie Horowitz [encore performance]
Charles Baran [encore performance]
Richie Eisenberg [encore performance]
Sarah Rice

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Ian Herman, Sean Harkness, and John Cook!

Another thank you to Jared Gilmore 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, Tuesdays (8:30pm): Candice Oden (moi) performs every Tuesday night at Millesime Restaurant, 92 Madison Avenue, NYC.

Ongoing, Mondays (7pm): Sarah Rice hosts Open Mic night at The Harp, 729 3rd Avenue, NYC.

Friday, March 25, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, April 8, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show, "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly), to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, April 20, 2016: Joseph Mulholland is performing at Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street, NYC.

Saturday, April 30, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is performing in the award-winning cabaret benefit series "Cabaret Cares" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 1, 2016: Tanya Moberly and Charles Baran are appearing in a benefit for In God's Love We Deliver at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 1, 2016: Charles Baran is performing in a benefit for Ronni Faust.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016: Marnie Klar is bringing back her show, "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly), to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, May 6, 2016: Josephine Sanges is performing at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016: Bobbie Horowitz is performing her popular cabaret, "It's Just a Number," at the Metropolitan Room

NO SALON NEXT WEEK!

We will resume on April 3rd with our Co-Host Wendy Russell and our Salon Spotlight, Natasha Castillo. The theme will be "April In Paris - Favorite Times & Places."

We all hope to see you there!

Candice Oden
Guest Blogette for the Salon

(Updates? Changes? Email me!)

Sunday, March 13, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for March 13, 2016 - "The Art of Compromise"

Mark Janas is out for one more week, and though we miss him dearly its a special delight to have such talented guest hosts filling in. How perfect, then, that this week's theme was "The Art of Compromise"? Compromise doesn't have to mean giving it - it means getting to have a little of everything! With that, tonight's co-host was MAC, Bistro & Dottie Burman Award Winner Brett Kristofferson! Brett is currently the Musical Director for The Wingspan Cabaret Troupe (the kids that perform at the MAC Awards every year). They will be appearing at The Riverside Theatre – 91 Claremont Ave, NYC 10027 – on March 19th at 8pm & March 20th at 2pm. For more information: http://wingspanarts.ticketleap.com/cabaret-troupe/

Guest Host: Brett Kristofferson

Our Co-Host was Jerry Phelps! Jerry was a Top Five Finalist in The Mama’s Next Big Act competition over the summer and just finished a run of his show CAN’T HAVE IT ALL at Don’t Tell Mama. For more information: www.jerryphelpsmusic.com.

Jerry kicked off the evening by inviting Angela Schultz to the stage to help him sing a gorgeous and delicate, "Can't Have It All." For his mid-show set, Jerry started with stunning tenor vocals on a rubato, dramatic arrangement of Whitney Houston's, "How Will I Know?" He then segued into some patter with a hilarious tinge of desperation that punctuated a R&B infused, "I'm Not Crying" (he swears he's not crying!) This song boasted Brett Kristofferson on backing vocals - after all, all great boy bands need those harmonies! He finished his mid-show set at the piano, playing & singing a lovely, "All I Ask." To close out the evening, Jerry and Angela sang an incredibly powerful and moving, "Chasing The Sun."

Co-Host Jerry Phelps

Our Salon Spotlight featured MAC, Bistro & Margaret Whiting Award Winner Celia Berk, with Alex Rybeck on piano! Celia will be at The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – every Sunday in April with the release of her second album, MANHATTAN SERENADE. For more information:  www.GramercyNightingale.com/tix

For the first song of her set, Celia brought her signature smoky vocals to, "Manhattan Hometown." She followed that with Irving Berlin's 1931 timeless and pitter-pattery, "Manhattan Madness" (with help from Alex on vocals.) She finished her set with a luxurious and contemplative medley of, "The Romance of a Lifetime" with "The People That You Never Get To Love."

Salon Spotlight: Celia Berk

This evening was also host to a very special occasion - Producer Tanya Moberly's 50th birthday! Adam Shapiro make an amazing cake - here's a picture of this work of art, and the reaction to it!

Birthday cake baked by Adam Shapiro!
Tanya is jumping up and down in excitement!

Quick Wrap: Brett's Corner

For Brett's Corner, our lovely Guest Host invited up Angela Schultz to help him sing 3 songs from his new musical, "Closer Than You Think." Their first song was a charming and hopeful duet, "All That Matters."Angela followed that with a beautiful and heartfelt solo number, "Joey. It's You," where a mother tells her child how much he means to the world. To close out the set, Angela sang about a parent's effusive pride for her talented children, in the upbeat "Proud Mama."


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 Brett Kristofferson unless otherwise noted.


Jerry Phelps and Angela Schultz
Jim Speake
Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
David Meulemans
Charles Baran
Edie Stokes
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Adam Shapiro
Robin Westle
Lauren Stanford
Erin Cronican
Marnie Klar 
Celia Berk (with Alex Rybeck on piano)
Tanya Moberly
Barb Malley (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Anna Marie Sell (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Zach Wobensmith
Angela Leone (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (also on piano)
Steve Bustamante
Wendy Russell
Joan Jaffe
Richard Eisenberg
John Koprowski
Janet Fanale

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Brett Kristofferson, Alex RybeckMatthew Martin Ward, and Bill Zeffiro.

And thank you to Jared Gilmore 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:

Thursday March 17, 2016: Lauren Stanford is appearing in the Julie Wilson tribute at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

March 18-20, 2016: David Ballard is performing with the Gay Men's Chorus, at the Skirball Center at NYC, NYC.

Saturday March 19, 2016 (7pm): David Meulemans is throwing a CD release party & performance for "Lucky To Be Me" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday March 21, 2016 (7:30pm): Anna Marie Sell is appearing in a reading of, "It Can't Happen Here" with the Peccadillo Theater Company in NYC.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 (7pm): John Koprowski is appearing in "The Arrangement Experience" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, March 25, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, March 26, 2016:   Janet Fanale is appearing in the Drama Bookshop benefit at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Saturday, March 26, 2016 (8pm):  Joan Jaffe is appearing in "Parnell's Spotlight Night" at Parnell's, 350 East 53rd St, NYC.

Monday, March 28, 2016 (7pm): Robin Westle is hosting "Robin's Nest" at the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Thursday, March 31, 2016 (7pm): Angela Leone (with music director, Bill Zeffiro) appearing in "All My Tomorrows" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, April 3, 2016: Celia is bringing her show, "Manhattan Serenade" to the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, April 8, 2016: Marnie Klar is bringing back her show, "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, April 10, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 (7pm): Jim Speake is bringing his show "Sweet Life" to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, April 16, 2016 (4pm): Jim Speake is bringing his show "Sweet Life" to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, April 17, 2016 (6pm): Sally Darling is bringing her brand new show, "Totally Noel" (with music director, Matthew Martin Ward) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Friday, April 22, 2016 (7pm): Sally Darling is bringing her brand new show, "Totally Noel" (with music director, Matthew Martin Ward) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 1, 2016: Tanya Moberly and Charles Baran are appearing in a benefit for In God's Love We Deliver at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016: Marnie Klar is bringing back her show, "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, May 11, 2016 (7pm): Sally Darling is bringing her brand new show, "Totally Noel" (with music director, Matthew Martin Ward) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 (7:00pm): Adam Shapiro is hosting "Gone Too Soon: A Tribute to Howard Ashman" with guest singer Erin Cronican at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.


Next week we're proud to welcome Co-Host Carole Demas. The Salon Spotlight will be the group Midnight At The Never Get. The theme will be "Leap Of Faith."

Hope to see you there!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for the Salon


(Updates? Changes? Email me!)

Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for March 6, 2016 - "Puttin' On The Brits"

Mark Janas is still performing in "Broadway and the Bard" with Len Cariou, so with Mark on hiatus, our amazing Guest Host/Pianist for tonight's Salon was MAC Award Winner William TN Hall! For more information about Will: www.WilliamTNHall.com.

Guest Host William TN Hall!
Our Co-Host was Bistro & 3-Time MAC Award Winner Amy Wolk! Click here to visit Amy’s Lyric School. They started the show talking about their love of all things Britain, which led to the theme, "Puttin' On The Brits." We then heard a familiar refrain - the theme song to Downton Abbey. Will shared some of the real lyrics to its theme song, which were hilarious!

Co-Host Amy Wolk
They began the evening with a self-professed, "big British drinking song with a bad British accent" with robust audience participation - "Oom Pah Pah" from Oliver!. For their mid-show set, Amy started by singing, "The Brit Song" in homage to all of the British men who tickle her fancy. She followed that with a lovely duet with Will called, "Only You." They finished with a brilliant Andrew Lloyd "Porter" medley, where Webber's songs were set to Porter-style arrangements. It's was fantastic! To close the show, Amy sang a perfectly marvelous medley of a British boy band songs, by the group Take That and one of their break-out members, Robbie Williams - "Back for Good"/"Something Beautiful."

Our Salon Spotlight featured John Koprowski (with Tracy Stark on piano)! For his 3 song set, John punctuated his songs with history of music and storytelling. He started with a smart, "Lyin' Eyes", then followed that with a heartfelt, "Mr. Tanner." For his final song, tied it all together with a story about Ray Davies and the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and then sang, "Celluloid Heroes."  John will be bringing back his "Five Years That Rocked The World" in June. (For more information about this MAC board member, look for him on Facebook.)


Quick Wrap: William's Corner

Will started out a wonderful segment talking about his history as a Brit, including going to school with a very famous songstress who is, unfortunately, no longer with us. He then gave us a fantastic arrangement of one of her songs, "Rehab." (Yes, we're talking about Amy Winehouse.) He followed that with a charming and spot on performance of Ivor Novello's "And Her Mother Came Too." He finished his set with a powerful, "You'll Be Back" by Lin Manuel Miranda, sung by the British character, King George, in Hamilton.


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 William TN Hall unless otherwise noted.


Amy Wolk
Natasha Castillo
Barb Malley (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Charles Baran
Wendy Russell
Marie Sassi
Rob Davis (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Meagan Michelson
Jaye Maynard
John Satrom
Tommy J Dose
Adam Shapiro (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Zach Wobensmith
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Jared Gilmore (on piano)
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Dawn Derow
Tanya Moberly
John Koprowski (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Robin Westle (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Eric Michael Gillett (with Eric Rausch on piano)
Margaret Kelly Murphy (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Lucille Carr-Kaffashan (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Stephanie Thomas (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Rebecca Kendall (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Carolyn Montgomery-Forant (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)


Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: William TN HallTracy Stark, Jared Gilmore, Jeff Cubeta, Eric Rausch, and Matthew Martin Ward.

And thank you to Jared Gilmore 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:

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 (7pm)Margaret Kelly Murphy, Stephanie Thomas, Lucille Carr-Kaffashan and Rebecca Kendall are performing in, "Fine Whine" at the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Thursday, March 10, 2016: Barb Malley is being honored in this month's "It's Just a Number" (featuring Charles Baran and Jaye Maynard) at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 (7pm): Dawn Derow (with music director, Mark Janas) is bringing back her show, "Legit", to the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 (7pm)Margaret Kelly Murphy, Stephanie Thomas, Lucille Carr-Kaffashan and Rebecca Kendall are performing in, "Fine Whine" at the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

March 18-20, 2016: David Ballard is performing with the Gay Men's Chorus, at the Skirball Center at NYC, NYC.

Monday, March 21, 2016 (7pm): John Satrom and Tommy J Dose are appearing in, Gone Too Soon: A Tribute to Whitney Houston" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, March 25, 2016: Tanya Moberly, John Satrom and Tommy J Dose are appearing in "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, March 25, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, March 28, 2016 (7pm): "Robin's Nest" will be hosted by Robin Westle and directed by Eric Michael Gillett at the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Saturday, April 2, 2016 (11:30pm) - Meagan Michelson is appearing in, "Mother Mary Says To Me" at Feinstein's /54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Sunday, April 10, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Friday, April 22, 2016: Sally Darling is bringing her brand new show, "Totally Noel" (with music director, Matthew Martin Ward) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, April 23, 2016: John Satrom is appearing in Anne Steele's show, "The Mixtape of My Life" at Joe's Pub, NYC.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016: Wendy Russell is appearing in "Those Girls" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Monday, May 14, 2016Natasha Castillo is performing in "Feels Like Home" (with backup singer Wendy Russell) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, May 20, 2016Natasha Castillo is performing in "Feels Like Home" (with backup singer Wendy Russell) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016: Amy Wolk and William TN Hall are doing another benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS called, "Putting On The Brits" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016: Dawn Derow is appearing in "It's Delovely" at Carnegie Recital Hall, NYC.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 (7:00pm): Adam Shapiro is hosting "Gone Too Soon: A Tribute to Howard Ashman" with guest singer Erin Cronican at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, NYC.


Next week we're proud to welcome Guest Host Brett Kristofferson with Co-Host Jerry Phelps. The  Salon Spotlight will be Celia Berk. The theme will be "The Art Of Compromise".

Hope to see you there!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)