The Salon Wrap-Up for May 15, 2016 - "Songs of the South"

The theme of "Songs of the South" brought lots of drawls out and remembrances of Southern hospitality and back porch sunsets. Mark was born in Alabama, and his Mom remembers picking cotton in the fields (thankfully Mark was able to do something else with his fingers). He remembered how his Southern accent came and went every 6 months as he traveled to visit with family. Our Co-Host was last year's Metrostar Challenge WINNER, Minda Larsen! She used to be a lyric mezzo, but after being one of Mark Janas' students at the Manhattan School of Music, she was "turned" into a cabaret/musical theater singer...our gain, opera's loss! She began with the swinging honky-tonk "Mississippi Mud" with Barry Levitt on piano, which artfully reminded us how to spell the state's name in snappy rhythm. Starting the second half, and once again with Barry Levvit on the piano, Minda sang the plaintive "The Boy Next Door" by Hugh Martin (from Alabama) in a bluesy alto. She then changed things up to plead a uniquely arranged and deeply soulful version of Dolly Parton's hit "Jolene." The rock and roll blues comedy-with-bite piece "Understand Your Man" (or "Now I understand you, Man" as she put it) was her second-to-last song.  Keeping in the same low-voiced alto smoothness vibe, she completed her co-hosting job with a sultry combination of "Georgia On My Mind/Sitting on the Dock of the Bay."

Minda will star in her new show "My Southern Song" on May 21, June 1 and June 28th, and August 17th, 2016 (all shows at 7:00pm) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Salon Spotlight

 Carole Demas and Sarah Rice

Two powerhouse, Original Broadway Cast and Cabaret stars filled the Salon Spotlight on Sunday! Carole Demas (Grease, The Fantasticks) and Sarah Rice (The Fantasticks, Sweeney Todd) are working on a new Harvey Schmit and Tom Jones show, and are trying some new arrangements for it...and we gladly played guinea pig audience. They first regaled us with the story of how Carole stepped in for Sarah as in The Fantasticks for a bit, then Sarah went into the gorgeously lyrical "Soon It's Gonna Rain" with Joe Goodrich at the piano and on vocals. Sarah admitted that she hadn't sung some of this music in years, but as soon as she began singing, emotions were instantly brought back to light. Carole then sang the soaring and passionate "Joy" from Collette Collage, a French-themed musical by Texans Schmit and Jones. Sarah told us about the last night of The Fantasticks, at the closing night party with Harvey, and he talked about how he wanted The Fantasticks to run for at least 2 days so his friends could see it and...50 years later...it's still running! Carole then told us about a conversation with Tom about El Gallo's casting getting older as Tom and Harvey themselves got older and older. Sarah then joined Carole to sing a duet usually done by two men, The Boy and El Gallo, on "I Can See It" from The Fantasticks. Later, Mark told us how he was looking for work years ago and knew a Music Director for The Fantasticks, so he auditioned for Tom or Harvey, and got accepted as a substitute MD. And then...the show closed, but it was the first piece he music directed...at age 16!

Carole Demas will soon be seen on May 20th (9:30pm) at "Broadway Originals" at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC and also  on May 25th twice: at Tudor City Park for the the Music and Art For City Greens (6:30pm) and then 8:30pm at Richard Skipper Celebrates at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC. At Richard Skippers Celebrates, Carole will be happy to celebrate her 76th year, still able to sing the songs of three special and favorite lyricists of hers.

Sarah Rice will be co-hosting with David Vernon an open mic herself every other Monday night at 7pm (sign up starts 6:30pm) at The Harp Raw Bar & Grill, 729 3rd Avenue, NYC, no cover/no minimum.

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner:
Mark concentrated this Classical Corner on the concept of fach, the German word for the specialization of voice into "Compartments" or "Subjects" of study within vocal ranges, genders, divisions of voices, and roles. Feminine voiced fachs include lyric coloratura (as in Adele from Die Fleidermouse), dramatic coloratura, dramatic lyric soprano and full dramatic soprano (Brigitt Nielson), to the lyric soprano (a la Micaela from Carmen and Mimi from La Boheme). To sing these roles, Mark brought up Maria Fernanda Brea. Maria first sang from the third Act of La Boheme, "Donde Lieta," which comes at the point when the lovers are splitting up due to her secret illness. She sings of goodbyes with no bitterness and the gathering of items to fetch and to find as keepsakes:

"From whence she joyously left / at the beckoning of your love, / all alone must Mimi now return / to that empty nest... / Returning once again / to embroider make-believe flowers. / So farewell, but without bitterness." 

After thunderous applause and shouts of "brava's!", Mark then noted how maturation and age can change a singer's fach. A spinto voice ("push" in German, meaning a larger and more projected/resonant lyric soprano) can often work in a bigger opera house, but a lyric soprano can be great in the role when the theater is more intimate. Maria then explained the dangerous situation her next lady - Micaela from Carmen - finds herself in, and calls for the strength of God in "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" :

"I will see that woman, be close to her... / Vile tricks that she is mistress of / Have turned into an evildoer / The one with whom I was in love! / She's dangerous and she's a beauty! But I don't want to be afraid! / No, no, I don't want to be afraid! / To speak before her in my duty...Ah! / O Lord, I know you'll give me aid! / O Lord, I know you'll give me aid! Ah!"

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.

Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Jerome Weinstein
Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Rian Keating
Amy Engelhardt (self at piano)
Jaye Maynard (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (with self on piano)
David Ballard (with Sierra Rein on hyena vocals)
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Sierra Rein (additional guitar by Steve Bustamante)
Dawn Derow (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas (with Joe Goodrich on piano)
Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Tanya Moberly
Joana Gray
Courtney Wilkins
Sally Jo Hadley
Dennis McNiel (with Ed Martel on piano)
Kit Kount
Barb Malley
Richard Eisenberg
Lauren Stanford
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)

Big thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and more for our amazing waitstaff who have talent and skill and smiles galore for us each Sunday! Thanks also to Steve Bustamante who provided video footage service!

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Ed Martel, Matthew Martin Ward, Joe Goodrich, Barry Levitt, Bill Zeffiro, Amy Engelhardt, and Steve Bustamante!

Ongoing Shows
Monday nights starting May 23rd (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Every other Monday - 7pm-10pm (signup starts at 6:30pm): Sarah Rice and David Vernon's Open Mic at The Harp Raw Bar and Grill, 729 3rd Avenue, NYC. www.harpbargrill.com

Monday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro and Marissa Mulder at La Rivista, 313 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro and Jenna Esposito at La Rivista, 313 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday nights (8:30pm): Candice Oden and Bill Zeffiro perform at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Friday, May 20, 2016 (9:30pm): Dennis McNeil in "A Century of Sinatra" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, May 20, 2016 (9:30pm): Carole Demas in at "Broadway Originals" at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC

Saturday, May 21, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley stars in (and Adam Shapiro directs) "Bustin' Loose, The Liberation of Sallie Jo Hadley" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Lauren Stanford in the Helen Morgan-based "More Than You Know" at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (rain date May 26th) (6:30pm): Carole Demas, Tanya Moberly, Mark Janas and others in Music and Art For City Greens at Tudor City Park, South Park of Tudor City (East 41st Street and Tudor City Place).

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) will be featured in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Lauren Stanford in the Helen Morgan-based "More Than You Know" at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 (XXXX): Dawn Derow will have her Carnegie Hall debut with Marcus Goldleber in "It's Delovely" as part of K.T. Sullivan's Mabel Mercer Foundation.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 10, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 (3pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 13, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard in the NYC GMC Concert "It's Complicated," NYU Skirball Center, NYC.

Saturday, June 18, 2016 (4pm): Janice Hall and others in "Gone Too Soon - Howard Ashman" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 19, 2016: Amy Engelhardt's solo show as singer and composer at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7:30pm): Amy Engelhardt's presents her creation an artistic producer-ship in the composer-lyricist musical theater game show "Tune in Time" at the York Theatre, 619 Lexington Avenue, NYC.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016: Dawn Derow and Marcus Goldliber at Friar's Club, 57 East 55th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 27, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, July 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, August 12, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 (7pm): Janice Hall repeats her hit Madeline Deitrich show at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, September 16, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 30, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Kenny Loggins with Steven Ray Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Kenny Loggins with Steven Ray Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Kenny Loggins with Steven Ray Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Kenny Loggins with Steven Ray Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Kenny Loggins with Steven Ray Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SALON, Sunday May 22nd, 2016:
THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SALON before our 6-week break! And it's a disaster-filled, heart-wrenching theme: Blood and Guts with Co-Host Lina Koutrakos and Salon Spotlight Rosemary Loar! I want to hear all your songs about blood, gore, guts, songs from Sweeney Todd or Little Shop of Horrors, or perhaps revenge songs against your lover, or just some old-fashioned "belt your guts out" singing.

See you there...or else...

Sierra Rein
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)