The Salon Wrap Up for December 17, 2017: "Holiday Wishes"

This week's Salon was warm and cozy and full of merriment. We were thrilled to find that Mark Janas's partner, longtime Salon supporter David Gillam, had made commemorative ornaments for all of the Salon visitors to take home with this. This has become a wonderful tradition, one that makes The Salon a special and unique experience for all who attend.

Our Co-Host was Bronwyn Rucker! Bronwyn started by getting the audience to sing along with an upbeat, "We Need a Little Christmas." For her mid-show set, she did a Stars trio, starting with "Stardust", then moving on to, "Lost In The Stars" and one of my favorite Christmas songs (probably due to the movie "Love Actually," "Catch a Falling Star." To close out the evening, she enticed the audience to sing with her again with, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Bronwyn will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on December 22nd at 7pm in Bronwyn Rucker’s Annual Christmas Show. For more information: www.donttellmamamnyc.com

Co-Host Bronwyn Rucker!

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight featured MAC, Bistro & Nightlife Award Winner Gretchen Reinhagen! She was accompanied by the always lovely and very talented, Tracy Stark.

Gretchen started her set with an earnest and hilarious "Sara Lee." She talked a little bit about her show, "I Blame Paleo" which started as a social media hashtag. She explained that there have been a lot of ridiculous things that have happened to her, and she's not unconvinced that it's due to her Paleo diet. For her second song, she shared another song recorded by Kaye Ballard - "Fly Me To The Moon." It was a lovely arrangement which had me hearing the song in a whole new way.

For her final song, she took on the entire passenger experience with "The Airplane Medley", a group of flight themed songs like, "Come Fly With Me", "Should The Need Arise" and "What Do We Do, We Fly." The medley was at times touching and often times hilarious. Is this is any indication, you're in for a great time if you see her show.

Gretchen will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on December 19th at 7pm in #IBLAMEPALEO. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

Salon Spotlight: Gretchen Reinhagen

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

To start Classical Corner, Mark asked, "What is it about Christmas music?" He told a story about a time in high school when he and a group of friends went to carol for a friend's mother who was in the hospital. After seeing the faces of all of the residents he realized that performing live is far different than the radio, especially for the listener. A few years later he asked some high school alumni to join him for caroling during the holidays, and 40-50 people responded. And he continued year after year, even as he went through college. By the time 6 years had passed, he had a 80 piece choir and 8 piece brass ensemble and were traveling to 4 hospitals.

Mark said that one major event that transpired December 16 was the anniversary of Beethoven's birth. So he decided that for this week's Classical Corner he would do a mashup of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Christmas songs like "Joy To The World" and "Carol of the Bells." It put the audiences in a perfectly festive mood!


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.

Co-Host: Bronwyn Rucker
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg (also on piano)
Bob Diamond
David Ballard
Angela Leone
Erin Cronican
Carole Demas
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Salon Spotlight: Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Classical Corner: Mark Janas
BREAK

Co-Host: Bronwyn Rucker

Tanya Moberly
Rafael Martinez (with Gretchen Reinhagen  on piano)
Shannon Daley (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Tracy Stark (also on piano)
Bob Diamond (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg
David Ballard
Erin Cronican

Co-Host: Bronwyn Rucker

Special thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, the amazing David Ballard & our waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera,.


Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

December 18-23, 2017 (Times Vary): WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages. 20+ Shows, 100+ Artists. Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education. Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform! Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director.  Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano) performs "I Blame Paleo" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in"Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Rob Davis is performing, "A Sinatra Kind of Holiday Show" at Pangea, 178 2nd Avenue, NYC

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Bronwyn Rucker is doing her annual "Bronwyn's Christmas Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2017 (4:30pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Heather in the Off-Broadway musical, SISTAS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Samantha in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)

Sunday, December 31, 2017: David Ballard is performing in "Bazazz! A Sequined Review" on New Year's Eve at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, January 13, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, January 19, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Eden in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)

Monday, January 22, 2018 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, January 27, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, February 4, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Thursday February 8, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, February 8, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday February 10, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, February 17, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Spring 2018: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back their show "Love, Lust, and Longing" - stay tuned for more!



WE'RE OFF THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS: 

We wish you the very happiest of holidays, and we'll see you January 7, 2018 with our co-host Niki Sorentino and the theme, "Let's Hear It For The Girls."


Written by Erin Cronican

Blogette for The Salon

Questions, changes or additions? Email me!

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The Salon Wrap-Up December 10, 2017: "School Days"

We welcomed our founder and host Mark Janas back to Salon after some time away for well deserved family travels. Mark bounded to the stage at the beginning of the show to introduce the evening and its theme, "School Days." True to form, Mark had two jokes for us on the theme, and then he and producer Tanya Moberly got the evening started.

Our Co-Host was MAC Award Nominee Mary Sue Daniels! Our illustrious co-host promised an evening of songs and stories about her school years. She started with a tale of pining for a shiny raincoat as a 5 year old, segueing into "I've Got Those Feeling Too Good Today Blues." For her mid-show set, she told us tales of scary school teachers, being stuck in a classroom with a monster bumblebee, and concussions after playing doctor. She sang the charming story song, "Sister Clarissa" which had the audience laughing in recognition. She then gave us a beautiful and contemplative, "Song of Bernadette." To close out the evening, she sang the ever-youthful and hopeful, "When I Was A Boy."

Mary Sue will be appearing in HOLIDAY CHEER! at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on Saturday, December 16th at 3pm. For more information: www.donttellmamamnyc.com

Co-Host: Mary Sue Daniels

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight featured Tym Moss! All sparkles and glitter, Tym came to the stage and confessed that he was, indeed, gay. (Shock!) He talked about growing up in the 60s and 70s, saying that he didn't ever hear the words "gay" or "homosexual" when he was young. He used that to segue into his first song, a heartbreaking rendition of, "Creep." For his second song he gave us an exciting parody/medley of, "I'm The Greatest Star" and "Don't Rain on my Parade." He closed with an original tune just for the holidays, "I Love New York at Christmas" - complete with choreography and audience participation!

Tym is doing an encore performance of his show, ALIVE!, at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on Saturday, December 30th at 8pm. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

Salon Spotlight: Tym Moss

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Mark Janas, our fearless founder and host, started by opening up the baby grand piano to give us some big sound, to resounding oohs and ahh from the audience. He then started talking about the theme of School Days... after a few stories from his youth, Mark got a little emotional and announced that he recently got in touch with fellow student from college, and she ended up coming to Salon tonight! This friend Valerie then surprised him by showing him a set of handwritten music, the very music that Mark wrote for Valerie to sing at her senior recital! (One of the lyrics he found in there - "And now is all we know of forever" - how lovely!)

Back to Classical Corner - Mark says that when Johannes Brahms went to school he wrote a short piece in order to graduate, but his teachers felt that it was not nearly long enough. So he went back and crafted a new, longer piece based on student drinking songs (!) Mark invited Matthew Martin Ward to come to the piano to lend two more hands to play part of the song - the Overture for his "Academic Festival."


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.

Co-Host: Mary Sue Daniels
Bobbie Horowitz
Richard Becker
Rian Keating
Jim Speake
Eileen Lacy
Bronwyn Rucker
Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Erin Cronican
Maureen Taylor
Salon Spotlight: Tym Moss
Classical Corner: Mark Janas
BREAK

Co-Host: Mary Sue Daniels
Tanya Moberly
Deborah Zecher
Ritt Henn (also on bass)
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Richard Eisenberg
Deborah Stone
Valerie Saalbach
Ari Axelrod
Co-Host: Mary Sue Daniels

Special thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, the amazing David Ballard & our waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera, and our wonderful videographer, Steve Bustamante.


Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

December 12-23, 2017 (Times Vary): WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages. 20+ Shows, 100+ Artists. Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education. Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform! Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director.  Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (7pm): Erin Cronican, Richie Eisenberg, and Janice Hall are appearing in "A Celebration of Barry Levitt: His Life & Music" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (9:30pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC.

Thursday, December 14, 2017 (7pm): "Mama's Next Big Act Reunion Tour! Home for the Holidays" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 14, 2017 (7pm): Deborah Stone is appearing with "Siren Song" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St, NYC.

Friday, December 15, 2017 (8pm): Jim Speake is appearing with "Those Girls" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 15, 2017: Sally Darling is appearing in "Together" as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Janice Hall will perform "The Opera Show with No Opera" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Mary Sue Daniels will be appearing in HOLIDAY CHEER! at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (9:30pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Peter Napolitano as Director as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 17, 2017 (3pm): Ira Lee Collings and Jim Speake are performing in "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in"Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 (7pm): Ritt Henn is performing his show, "Beth & Ritt's 2nd Annual Holiday Survival Kit" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2017 (4:30pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Heather in the Off-Broadway musical, SISTAS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)

Saturday, December 23, 2017 (7pm): "From All of Us to All of You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too!" Hosted by Stephen Hanks and featuring Mary Sue Daniels at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

January 29, 2018: Bobbie Horowitz is bringing back her show, "It's Only a Number" to Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Spring 2018: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back their show "Love, Lust, and Longing" - stay tuned for more!

May 6, 2018: Deborah Zecher is doing her very first solo show in NYC, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

May 14, 2018: Deborah Zecher is doing her very first solo show in NYC, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

May 23, 2018: Deborah Zecher is doing her very first solo show in NYC, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.


NEXT SUNDAY at SALON: 

Join us December 17, 2017 with your Co-Host, Bronwyn Rucker. Our Salon Spotlight will be Gretchen Reinhagen. The optional theme for the week is "Holiday Wishes."


Written by Erin Cronican

Blogette for The Salon

Questions, changes or additions? Email me!

The Salon Wrap-Up December 3, 2017: "The Days of Wine and Roses"

It was a nostalgic evening as we ushered in the theme, "The days of Wine and Roses." Behind the piano tonight was our Guest Host, the Multiple MAC Award Winner Bill Zeffiro! 

Our Co-Host was Vocalist & Bandleader Sarah Hayes! She burst onto the stage with humor and sass in her rendition of "The Lady is a Tramp." For her mid-show set, she and Bill started with the charming duet, "How About You." They than sang the title song of the evening, "The Days of Wine and Roses" giving us a sense of yearning. She capped that off with the title song from the Audrey Hepburn/Albert Finny movie, "Two for the Road." To compete the evening, Sarah quipped that

the person profiled in the final song probably had a lot of roses thrown her way for being so popular - "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Sarah joins Bill Zeffiro at La Rivista – 313 West 46th St, NYC 10036 - every Monday 8pm-12am and also Friday, December 1st & Friday, December 8th 8pm-12am. Sarah performs with her jazz trio at Jacques Brasserie – 204-206 East 85th St, NYC 10028 – every Thursday 9pm-12:30am and at Swing 46 – 349 West 46th St, NYC 10036 - on Sunday, December 10th 8:30-10:30pm. For more information: www.sarahhayesmusic.com

Our Co-Host: Sarah Hayes

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight featured MAC & Bistro Award Winner Janice Hall, with Matthew Martin Ward on piano! Janice sang songs from her upcoming solo show, starting with a tongue-in-cheek rendition of the Cake rock song, "Opera Singer" mashed up with the Barry Levitt/Peter Napolitano tune, "The Story Is My Song." She then gave us another amazing mashup, this time with Matthew joining her on vocals with "Who Could Ever Have Dreamed Up You" (from Maury Yeston's Phantom) and Noel's Coward's "Room With A View." She finished her set with a stunning and dramatic, "Je Suis Malade" which blended both French and English lyrics and ended with a powerful belt.

Janice will be at Urban Stages – 259 West 30th St, NYC 10001 – in THE OPERA SHOW WITH NO OPERA on Saturday, December 16th at 3pm. For more information: www.urbanstages.org

Salon Spotlight: Janice Hall

Quick Wrap - Zeff's Corner

As bill sat down to give us "Zeff's corner" he informed us the the theme, "The days of Wine and Roses" could only mean three things to him: Saloon Songs, Drinking, and Bad Romantic Stories at 3am. So with that, he gave us three entertaining numbers which he sang and played at the piano. He started with what he called the country version of "On for My Baby" called "The King Is Gone." Next, he gave us a delicate and contemplative, "Saloon Song", the Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer hit. To close out Zeff's Corner, he shared a song he wrote while having drinks with Marissa Mulder, called, "As Long As We're Loaded," throughout which he asked the audience to sing along!

You can catch Bill every Monday & Wednesday 8pm-12am at La Rivista – 313 West 46th St, NYC 10036. His CD of original tunes BETTER THAN NOTHING is available on itunes & cdbaby.com and a Cast Recording of his Original Musical THE ROAD TO RUIN will follow soon. For more information: www.billzeffiro.com

Guest Host: Bill Zeffiro

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 Bill Zeffiro unless otherwise noted.

Co-Host: Sarah Hayes
Ann Kittredge
Patrick Reilly
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward
Angela Leone
Joan Jaffe
Erin Cronican
Marnie Klar
Salon Spotlight: Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Classical Corner: Bill Zeffiro
BREAK

Co-Host: Sarah Hayes

Tanya Moberly

Michelle Collier
Joseph Mulholland
Ann Kittredge (encore)

Marnie Klar (encore)
Angela Leone (encore)
Joan Jaffe (encore)
Frances O'Flynn (encore - with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Janice Hall (encore - with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (encore)
Erin Cronican and Bill Zeffiro encore - (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)

Co-Host: Sarah Hayes

Special thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, Joseph Mulholland and our amazing waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera.


Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 (9:30pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 (8:30pm): "Swingin' for The Maestro: A Barry Levitt Foundation Cabaret, featuring Janice Hall and many others; launch event for the Barry Levitt Foundation, at the Iridium, 1650 Broadway, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC

Saturday, December 9, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (9:30pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "There's No Business like Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC

December 12-23, 2017 (Times Vary): WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages. 20+ Shows, 100+ Artists. Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education. Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform! Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director. Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (9:30pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (7 pm): Erin Cronican and Janice Hall are appearing in "A Celebration of Barry Levitt: His Life & Music" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 14, 2017 (7pm): "Mama's Next Big Act Reunion Tour! Home for the Holidays" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Janice Hall will perform "The Opera Show with No Opera" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (9pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Peter Napolitano as Director as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in"Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2017 (4:30pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Heather in the Off-Broadway musical, SISTAS, at St Luke's Theater on 46th Street.

Saturday, December 23, 2017 (7pm): "From All of Us to All of You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too!" Hosted by Stephen Hanks. Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back her show "Love, Lust, and Longing" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.


NEXT SUNDAY at SALON:

Join us December 10, 2017 with your Co-Host, Mary Sue Daniels. Our Salon Spotlight will be Tym Moss. The optional theme for the week is "School Days."


Written by Erin Cronican

Blogette for The Salon

Questions, changes or additions? Email me!

The Salon Wrap Up for Sunday, November 19th, 2017: There's No Tune Like a Show Tune

Just off to the side of the Great White Way, Salon theatre lovers united to celebrate our theme of the evening, There's No Tune Like a Show Tune, where our co-host for the night, Ricky Ritzel and his partners in crime, joined together for an unstoppable musical theatre experience highlighting songs from some of Broadway's most well known and obscure shows.  Mr. Ritzel has graced the New York Cabaret circuit for over 35 years.  Lovingly referred to as a, "Cabaret Warhorse," he's put his experience and love for all things musical into his latest venture, a show entitled, Ricky Ritzel's Broadway, which returns to Don't Tell Mama on Friday, January 26th at 7pm.

 
                                              Ricky Ritzel

    Each month, his show features different Broadway shows, and interesting facts about each musical, and he selects a new cast each month to play the characters, (sometimes including non-traditional casting), that wow the audience with their vocal ability and some amazing, sometimes hysterical, entertainment.  Tonight was no exception, as his cast including MAC President Lennie Watts, Kristine Zbornik, Jay Rogers, Aaron Morishita, Alison Nusbaum, Tommy Dose, and Tara Martinez opened with, "Comedy Tonight," from the musical A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.  This was followed by Debut MAC Award-Winning Tommy Dose singing a beautiful rendition of, "I Don't Remember You," from Kander & Ebb's The Happy Time, and Tara Martinez with, "I Belong Here," from the musical The Grand Tour, which unfortunately was a Broadway flop, but has some beautiful music written by Jerry Herman.  

    As usual, our Salon regulars and newbies followed up with some great tunes!  Some highlights included Marni Klar's, "When I Look At You," from The Scarlett Pimpernel, she's bringing back her show Bedtime Stories to Don't Tell Mama on December 9th at 4pm.  Ira Lee Collins sang the lovely song, "Who Are You Now," from Funny Girl, to his partner which  pulled on all of our heart strings.  Deborah Zecher regularly performs a show called Broadway Bible, where she rewrites songs from Broadway musicals and combines them with her love of spirituality.  Her new version of, " That's Entertainment," from The Band Wagon, was a big hit!  Jeff Cubeta, who is accompanying Lucille Kaffashan in her show Unwritten December 2nd at Don't Tell Mama's, sang Christine Lavin's song, which has the longest title in the history of songwriting, " Regretting What I Said To You When You Called Me at Eleven O'Clock on a Friday Morning to Tell Me That at One O'Clock Friday Afternoon You're Gonna Leave Your Office, Go Downstairs, Hail a Cab to Go to the Airport to Catch a Plane to Go Skiing in the Alps for Two Weeks.  Not That I Wanted to Go With You, I Wasn't Able To Leave Town, I'm Not a Very Good Skier, I Couldn't Expect You to Pay My Way, But After Going Out With You for Three Years, I Don't Like Surprises," or more simply, "A Musical Apology."  The fabulous Sidney Myer was joined by Tommy Dose for a duet entitled, "A Certain Girl," again from The Happy Time.  And the Etceterettes rounded out Act I with David Ballard singing a gorgeous version of, "On The Street Where You Live," from My Fair Lady, Janice Hall singing, "Ladies Who Lunch," from Company, and Maureen Taylor, paying tribute to her mother with a beautiful rendition of, "Climb Every Mountain," from The Sound of Music.

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

    Mark Janas was joined by Co-Producer, Tanya Moberly this week for my favorite part of Salon - Classical Corner, where we learn a little something new about music each week!  This week was no exception, as we spoke about Steven Sondheim, and his ability to use dissonance in his chord structures to create tension in music, which adds to the lyrics, storyline, and character development in shows.  Song cited were, "Sunday in the Park with George," from the musical of the same name, and also, "Last Midnight," from Into the Woods.  After playing the chords straight, and having Ms. Moberly sing the selection, Mr. Janas then added the dissonance to the chord structure that Sondheim had written, and the audience could hear the difference of what musical intervals can do to add excitement and feeling to a character's development.

    Act II was another tour de force, beginning with the hilarious Jay Rogers (playing Archy the Cockroach), and Kristine Zbornik (portraying Mehitabel the Cat), singing, "Flotsam & Jetsam," from the 1956 musical Shinbone Alley, a musical transition of Don Marquis stories.  Jay Rogers and Aaron Morishita kept us laughing with the duet, "All 'Er Nuthin'," from Oklahoma.  Sally Burns made her Salon debut singing, "Who's Been Sitting In My Chair," from the musical Goldilocks.  Carly Ozard, who will be performing her show Chasing Cameron Mackintosh at The Friar's Club this Tuesday, November 21st at 8pm, sang, "All That Jazz."  Alison Nusbaum did an amazing rendition of, "The Revolutionary Costume for Today," as Edie from the musical Grey Gardens.  MAC President Lennie Watts joined in as PT Barnum with rapid-fire lyrics in, "The Museum Song," from Barnum and spoke about his new venture, Singnasium.  Bob Diamond made us cry with, "One More Walk Around the Garden Gate," from Carmelina.  Matthew Martin Ward sang, "A Quiet Evening at Home," from a musical that he has written with Peter Napolitano entitled The Lady in Penthouse B.  Sidney Myer wowed us with the song, "World Take Me Back," which Jerry Herman originally wrote for Ethel Merman for the production of Hello, Dolly, but when she initially declined the part, it was cut from the show.  Later, when she did play the role, the song was reinstated.  Tonight's show was closed out again with Ricky Ritzel and his cast of musical characters singing from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, with Sally Darling playing Sally with, "My New Philosophy," and leaving us with the cast singing, "Happiness Is."  It was a great night had by all!

    Remember, there is no Salon next week.  Everyone from Salon wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!   You can also see many of our performers in the upcoming holiday shows at Urban Stages.  Happy Holidays to all!

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.

Co-Host: Ricky Ritzel & Company

Tommy Dose

Tara Martinez

Marni Klar

Ira Lee Collins

Deborah Zecher

Ronni Faust

Angela Leone

Lucille Kaffashan

Jeff Cubeta

Sidney Myer & Tommy Dose

David Ballard 

Janice Hall

Kathleen France

Maureen Taylor

Classical Corner: Mark Janas (with Tanya Moberly)

BREAK

Co-Host:  Ricky Ritzel
Kristine Zbornik & Jay Rogers
Jay Rogers & Aaron Morishita

Tanya Moberly
Sally Burns
Richard Eisenberg

Gretchen Reinhagen
Carly Ozard
Alison Nusbaum
Lennie Watts
Barbara Malley
Bob Diamond
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward)
Matthew Martin Ward (accompanying himself)
Sidney Myer
Co-Host: Ricky Ritzel & Company

Special thank you, to Janice Hall on lights and sound,  David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera. Thanks to Steve Bustamonte for providing video service for us!

Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 (8:00pm): Carly Ozard performs her show "Chasing Cameron Mackintosh," with direction by Deborah Kym and music direction by John Fischer.  Milton Berle Room @ The Friar's Club, 57 East 55th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 (7 pm): Sally Darling will be appearing in "Together," with the four other 2017 MAC nominees for Female Vocalist. The show benefits The Meatloaf Kitchen at University Community Social Services. Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. NYC.

Saturday, November 25th, 2017 (4 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 (7 pm):  Shana Farr and Steve Ross team up for "Our Favorite Things," featuring Great American Songbook and holiday favorites, at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 (7 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 1st, 2017 (8 pm): Audrey Appleby will perform her show "Ladies Cheap Cocktails," at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave. NYC. Daryl Kojak is music director.

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 (4:30 pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 (9:30 pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 (8:30pm):  "Swingin' for The Maestro: A Barry Levitt Foundation Cabaret, featuring Janice Hall and many others; launch event for the Barry Levitt Foundation, at the Iridium, 1650 Broadway, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC

Saturday, December 9, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

December 12-23, 2017 (Times Vary):  WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages.  20+ Shows, 100+ Artists.  Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education.  Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform!  Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director.  Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (9:30 pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (7 pm):  "A Celebration of Barry Levitt: His Life & Music" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 14, 2017 (7 pm):  "Mama's Next Big Act Reunion Tour!  Home for the Holidays" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 14th, 2017 (7 pm): "Siren Song", starring Deborah Stone, is presented at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. NYC.

Friday, December 15, 2017 (7 pm):  "Together: Celia Berk, Sally Darling, Meg Flather, Josephine Sanges, & Lisa Viggiano" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Janice Hall will perform "The Opera Show with No Opera" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 16th, 2017 (4 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (9pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Peter Napolitano as Director as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7 pm):  "Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (9 pm):  Will Friedwald Presents "ELLA @ 100: The Legendary 1960 Concert" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 (9 pm):  Stearns Matthews in "December Songs & other works of Maury Yeston" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (9 pm):  Karen Oberlin & Sean Harkness in "Heart Strings" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 23, 2017 (7 pm):  "From All of Us to All of You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too!"  Hosted by Stephen Hanks.  Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back her show "Love, Lust, and Longing" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SUNDAY at SALON: 

*** NO SALON NOVEMBER 26th - HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ***

Join December 3rd for "Days of Wine & Roses" - with Mark Janas out of town for the holidays, our Guest Host will be Bill Zeffiro, with Co-Host Sarah Hayes, and Salon Spotlight Janice Hall.


Posted by Kathleen France, Salon Blogette

The Salon Wrap Up for Sunday, November 10th, 2017: "Heaven and Hell"

  Salon Wrap-Up for November 10th 2017

Tonight's Theme: Heaven and Hell, co-host David LaMarr

   It was a cold night, but we warmed it up with some hot music, reflecting tonight's theme, "Heaven and Hell."  Our host was powerhouse actor/singer David LaMarr--second place winner in the Metropolitan Room's Metrostar competition, one of the finalists in the "Mama's Next Big Act" competition at Don't Tell Mama, and recently, a member of the national touring company of Jersey Boys. David opened the evening with a fast and furious version of "I Put a Spell on You."

   After the break, David returned with some more sass: first, "Random Black Boy (Singin' the Soul),"
originally written as "Random Black Girl," by Kooman & Dimond for their show Homemade Fusion. Abruptly changing the mood, David delivered a beautiful, soulful take on "You Are my Sunshine," going into "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone." He wound up the evening with a lively, interactive version of Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher."

David LaMarr

Salon Spotlight: Deborah Stone

Dressed, appropriately, in black sequins, our Salon Spotlight, Deborah Stone, gave us a few songs from her show "Siren Song." She opened the set with "Whatever Lola Wants," from the musical Damn Yankees. (There seemed to be a lot of tangos sung tonight--coincidence? Considering tonight's theme, I think not.) Her second number was the sultry "Sooner or Later," from the film Dick Tracy. She closed her set with a song from a silent screen siren: Norma Desmond's "With One Look," from Sunset Boulevard. Deborah will be performing "Siren Song" this Wednesday, November 15th, at 7 pm at Don't Tell Mama.

 Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Tonight Mark Janas opened Classical Corner with some tales of musical mishaps (Hell!) that have plagued various musicians over the years. He then segued to talk about "program music," a term which denotes music designed to evoke a particular idea or feeling.  As Exhibit A, he chose Beethoven's  Symphony Number 6, The Pastoral Symphony.  Mark was joined at the piano by Matthew Martin Ward, and together they gave us excerpts from each movement of this wonderful piece, along with the evocative title of each: Arrival in the Country, Singing by the Brook (featuring the sounds of a nightingale, a quail, and a cuckoo), Merry Gathering of Country People, The Storm, and Shepherd's Song.

 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.

Co-Host: David LaMarr

Bobbie Horowitz 

Richie Eisenberg
Audrey Appleby

Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward)

Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward)
Matthew Martin Ward (accompanying himself)
Brendan Eprile

Rachel Ann Weiss 

David Ballard

Zach Wobensmith

Shana Farr
Salon Spotlight: Deborah Stone
Classical Corner: Mark Janas (with Matthew Martin Ward)

BREAK

Co-Host:  David LaMarr

Tanya Moberly

Rian Keeting

Mike Roberts

Gretchen Reinhagen (accompanying herself)

Bobbie Horowitz

Richie Eisenberg

Shana Farr

Zach Wobensmith

Audrey Appleby

Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward)

Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward)

Matthew Martin Ward (accompanying himself)

Co-Host: David LaMarr

Special thanks to Matthew Martin Ward!

Thank you, also, to Zach Wobensmith on lights and sound,  David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera. Thanks to Michael Stever for providing video service for us!

Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, November 13, 2017 (7pm) : Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 13, 2017 (7:30 pm): David Lamarr will be part of the reading of a new musical, "The Naked Truth," at The West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 (6:30pm): Rian Keating will perform his show "there is a time: songs of love and life" as a benefit for the Lower East Side Preparatory High School MeiLing Tse - Virginia Yu Scholarship Fund at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 (7 pm): "Siren Song", starring Deborah Stone, is presented at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 18, 2017 (4:00pm): Rian Keating will perform his show "there is a time: songs of love and life" as a benefit for the Lower East Side Preparatory High School MeiLing Tse - Virginia Yu Scholarship Fund at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 19, 2017 (5pm): Bobbie Horowitz will present "It's Just a Number" featuring Sally Darling and Bob Diamond at The Triad, 158 W. 72nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 (7 pm): Sally Darling will be appearing in "Together," with the four other 2017 MAC nominees for Female Vocalist. The show benefits The Meatloaf Kitchen at University Community Social Services. Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. NYC.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017(8:30 pm): "Swingin' for The Maestro: A Barry Levitt Foundation Cabaret, featuring Janice Hall and many others; launch event for the Barry Levitt Foundation, at the Iridium, 1650 Broadway, NYC.

Saturday, November 25th, 2017 (4 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 (7 pm):  Shana Farr and Steve Ross team up for "Our Favorite Things," featuring Great American Songbook and holiday favorites, at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 (7 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 1st, 2017 (8 pm): Audrey Appleby will perform her show "Ladies Cheap Cocktails," at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave. NYC. Daryl Kojak is music director.

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 (4:30 pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 (9:30 pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC

Saturday, December 10, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (9:30 pm): Matthew Martin Ward will be accompanying the amazing Christine Pedi in her annual holiday show, "Snow Bizness," at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St., NYC

Thursday, December 14th, 2017 (7 pm): "Siren Song", starring Deborah Stone, is presented at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. NYC.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Janice Hall will perform "The Opera Show with No Opera" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 16th, 2017 (4 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (9pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Peter Napolitano as Director as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7 pm): Gretchen Reinhagen's new show, "#iblamepaleo," will premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Tracy Stark is musical director.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival  - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back her show "Love, Lust, and Longing" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SUNDAY at SALON:
Join us next week for "There's No Tune Like a Show Tune," with co-host Ricky Ritzel, and Ricky Ritzel's Broadway.


Posted by Janice Hall, Salon Blogette

See something you'd like to edit/add? Email me.

The Salon Wrap Up for Sunday, November 5th, 2017: Only in the Movies

Salon Wrap-Up for November 5th 2017

Tonight's Theme: Only in the Movies, co-host Toddy Phillips

 Lights...Camera... Sing! Tonight's Salon was all about Hollywood, courtesy of our host, the dynamic Toddy Phillips.  Toddy was one of the five finalists in the "Mama's Next Big Act" competition at Don't Tell Mama last summer, and tonight he showed us why.  After an introduction from Mark Janas--newly returned from San Francisco and London--Toddy opened the show with "Where You Are," from Kiss of the Spider Woman.  After the break, he returned to serenade us with a trio of well-known film songs. beginning with "As Time Goes By," from Casablanca. He then paid tribute to Diane Keaton in one of his favorite films, Annie Hall, with a soulful "It Had to Be You." Toddy rounded out the three song set with Harry Connick, Jr.'s  "A Wink and a Smile," from Sleepless in Seattle. He closed the show with a pull-out-the-stops "New York, New York."     See below for Toddy's upcoming gigs.

Salon Spotlight

The Salon Spotlight tonight was Amy Beth Williams, singing some numbers from her upcoming show, A Thousand Beautiful Things, which will premiere at Don't Tell Mama on November 13th. With the fabulous Ian Herman at the piano, Amy gave us the show's exquisite title song, written by Annie Lennox, a charming "When You're Traveling from Nantucket," in which she explored the confusing nature of time zones, and the eternally moving "I'll Be Seeing You," by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. The show is directed by Salon's producer, Tanya Moberly.

Amy Beth Williams

 Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Tonight, Mark Janas wrapped the Hollywood theme into Classical Corner, discussing the nature of film scores, and the use of classical music in the movies. He started by recommending a film he had recently seen, the documentary Score, which features interviews with many of today's top film composers. They talk about how the music in films serves to build tension in a scene (how much less effective would Psycho or Jaws be without the music that accompanies pivotal scenes?).

Film scores also incorporate classical music; Mark singled out the use of a Spanish dance form, the Sarabande by Handel, in the film Barry Lyndon, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries in Apocalypse Now, and Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Mark then relayed a touching personal story involving a classical piece that was composed especially for the 1940's British film Dangerous Moonlight, the Warsaw Concerto: As a student, Mark played the piece for a wealthy man who had a very emotional connection to that particular piece, and the man ended up paying for Mark's tuition at Rice University! 

Mark closed Classical Corner by playing Mendelssohn's Scherzo in E minor, which is featured in The Wizard of Oz.

 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.

Co-Host: Toddy Phillips
Rian Keating
Richie Eisenberg
Ira Lee Collings
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward)
Matthew Martin Ward (accompanying himself)
Angela Leone
Joan Jaffe
Lennie Watts
Janice Hall
Zach Wobensmith
Marnie Klar
Tanya Moberly
Salon Spotlight: Amy Beth Williams (with Ian Herman)

Classical Corner: Mark Janas

BREAK

Co-Host: Toddy Phillips

Mimi

Wendy Russell

Ruby Rims

David Ballard
Jen Bradley

Mike Roberts
Co-Host: Toddy Phillips

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Ian Herman and Matthew Martin Ward.

Thank you, also, to Janice Hall on lights and sound, (yes, I was busy tonight), David and our amazing waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera. Thanks to Michael Stever for providing video service for us!

Ongoing:

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.

Lennie Watts is part of the new non-profit, Singnasium, which offers classes and workshops to artists of all levels.  For more info, check out their website (linked above).

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, November 6, 2017 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs the return of "A Life Behind Bars," written and performed by Dan Ruth, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017: Angela Leone joins Bill Zeffiro for an evening at La Rivista restaurant, 313 W 46th St, NYC.8pm until midnight.

Friday, November 10, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

 Saturday, November 11, 2017 (5:30pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 11, 2017 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn will perform (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 13, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 (6:30pm): Rian Keating will perform his show "there is a time: songs of love and life" as a benefit for the Lower East Side Preparatory High School MeiLing Tse - Virginia Yu Scholarship Fund at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 18, 2017 (4:00pm): Rian Keating will perform his show "there is a time: songs of love and life" as a benefit for the Lower East Side Preparatory High School MeiLing Tse - Virginia Yu Scholarship Fund at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017(8:30 pm): "Swingin' for The Maestro: A Barry Levitt Foundation Cabaret, featuring Janice Hall and many others; launch event for the Barry Levitt Foundation, at the Iridium, 1650 Broadway, NYC.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 (7pm): Ruby Rims & Friends Do the Can Can, a benefit for Rauschenbusch Ministries Food Pantry, at Metro Baptist Church, 410 W 40th St., NYC. Also featuring Ira Lee Collings; pianist is John McMahon. $20 and some canned food will get you in.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 9, 2017 (8 pm): Joan Jaffe is the star of Parnell's Spotlight Night, at Parnell's, 350 E 53rd St, NYC. Bill Zeffiro is at the piano. (Also, you can see Joan on episodes of Mozart in the Jungle, and Orange is the New Black!)

Saturday, December 10, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 10th, 2017 (7pm): Ruby Rims & Friends Do the Can Can, a benefit for Rauschenbusch Ministries Food Pantry, at Metro Baptist Church, 410 W 40th St., NYC. Pianist is John McMahon. $20 and some canned food will get you in.

Thursday, December 14th, 2017: "Mama's Next Big Act Reunion Show" will feature the five finalists from three years of the contest.  This includes Wendy Russell and Toddy Phillips, and
Lennie Watts will be there, too.  Winter Rhythms festival at Urban Stages, 259 W 30th St, NYC. 

 Friday, December 15, 2017 (8pm): Lennie Watts and Wendy Russell are bringing Christmas cheer in "The Lennie Watts Those Girls Christmas Extravaganza," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W. 46th St., NYC

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (3pm): Janice Hall will perform "The Opera Show With No Opera" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC. 3 pm

Saturday, December 16, 2017 (9pm): Andrea Bell Wolff will perform "Prisoner of Love" with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Peter Napolitano as Director as part of "Winter Rhythms" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 17th, 2017 (7pm): Ruby Rims & Friends Do the Can Can, a benefit for Rauschenbusch Ministries Food Pantry, at Metro Baptist Church, 410 W 40th St., NYC. Pianist is John McMahon. $20 and some canned food will get you in.

Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - starring Rebecca Luker - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back her show "Love, Lust, and Longing" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SUNDAY at SALON:
Next week's guest host is actor-singer David LaMarr, with Salon Spotlight Deborah Stone. The theme will be "Heaven and Hell," so get ready to rejoice and/or suffer!


Posted by Janice Hall, Salon Blogette

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