On the theme of "Sweet and Sour," Mark Janas brought in thoughts of Chinese food and played some sweet and sour chords on the piano. But the concept throughout the evening went beyond food and the black and white keys! Our Co-Host was Cheo Bourne, who was the runner-up of Don't Tell Mama's "Mama's Next Big Act" for 2017. He brought both sweet and sour to the stage, and introduced our evening with the fact that our sweetest moments often come from the sourest periods of our lives by singing "Dance With My Father Again" by Luther Vandross and Richard Marx. It allowed his beautiful high tenor to shine. For his Act II set, Cheo brought in fellow "Mama's Next Big Act" singer Lena Moy-Borgen to duet on the lovingly sacrificial song "I'd Give it All For You" by Jason Robert Brown (Songs for a New World). Leaving his romantic tenor voice, he then belted the soulfully sour-with-no-regrets "Sunburn." Revealing (somewhat tongue in cheek) that he recently got engaged, he then flowed into the amazingly biting and funny "Sensitive Song" (I've never heard the term "you whore" sung so sweetly!). To end the evening, he put on his growling (yet cowardly) face on to end the evening with "Mean Ole Lion" from The Wiz.
Salon Spotlight
Our Salon Spotlight was West End star Liz Robertson, who flew in from London just yesterday. With a few introductory phrases of "On A Clear Day," she established a sweet and lovely introduction to Broadway lyricist Alan Jay Lerner: "renaissance man...a librettist...an author...a wit...a rascal...and...my husband." Back during the days Lerner was working in London, they met after "My Fair Lady," one dinner led to another, and romance struck. However, there were a few differences between herself and him, which led her into the sweetly sour "Why Him?" written by Lerner and Burton Lane from the show Carmelina. She then sang a great combination of the witty "Love With All the Trimmings (written for the film version On a Clear Day) and the lush "Love Before Breakfast" (from Carmelina). To finish the set, Liz sang the powerful, driving, Lerner/Lane "Come Back to Me," made famous by Sammy Davis Jr. On hand to help Liz out was visiting bassist Ritt Henn, who added a lovely texture to Liz's repertoire.
Try not to miss Liz Robertson in "Lerner Without Loewe," a one-time performance this week (Don't Tell Mama, this Thursday April 6, 2017 at 7:30pm) featuring songs that Alan Jay Lerner wrote without his famous musical partner, with Mark Janas on piano and Ritt Henn on bass. Don't miss this master class from musical theater royalty!
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| Cheo Bourne |
Our Salon Spotlight was West End star Liz Robertson, who flew in from London just yesterday. With a few introductory phrases of "On A Clear Day," she established a sweet and lovely introduction to Broadway lyricist Alan Jay Lerner: "renaissance man...a librettist...an author...a wit...a rascal...and...my husband." Back during the days Lerner was working in London, they met after "My Fair Lady," one dinner led to another, and romance struck. However, there were a few differences between herself and him, which led her into the sweetly sour "Why Him?" written by Lerner and Burton Lane from the show Carmelina. She then sang a great combination of the witty "Love With All the Trimmings (written for the film version On a Clear Day) and the lush "Love Before Breakfast" (from Carmelina). To finish the set, Liz sang the powerful, driving, Lerner/Lane "Come Back to Me," made famous by Sammy Davis Jr. On hand to help Liz out was visiting bassist Ritt Henn, who added a lovely texture to Liz's repertoire.
Try not to miss Liz Robertson in "Lerner Without Loewe," a one-time performance this week (Don't Tell Mama, this Thursday April 6, 2017 at 7:30pm) featuring songs that Alan Jay Lerner wrote without his famous musical partner, with Mark Janas on piano and Ritt Henn on bass. Don't miss this master class from musical theater royalty!
 |
| Liz Robertson |
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
Mark Janas, ever the collector of talented friends, brought forth two such friends from his past and his present for Classical Corner. On hand - or literally, on vocals - was Soprano Heather Bobeck and on literal hands (and lips) was clarinetist Ed Gilmore, who performed Franz Schubert's "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" ("Shepherd On The Rock") with Mark on piano. Mark first Ed met in college; Mark set up an audition for Ed to perform at a resort hotel, and put two very hard pieces by Brahms down to 'test' Ed, who then proceeded to blow him out of the water and get the job...and they've been friends ever since. Heather came to New York City from North Carolina, and also blew people out of the water this past year by winning the local the Metropolitan Opera District auditions.
Back to "Shepherd on the Rock"! This 1828 piece was composed in the last few months of Schubert's life; he died at age 29, and not very confident in his work. Apparently, at one gathering it was heard that Beethoven was in attendance, and in a panic Schubert ran out of the event hall, unaware that years later, when Beethoven was sick, he looked through a volume of Schubert's work and declared him a genius. "Shepherd on the Rock" is a chamber piece, and uses lieber motifs, or an extensive song utilizing beautiful pastoral imagery. The song itself is the musings of a shepherd with his sheep, a rather boring job, with long hours to wile away. It's split into sections, with the first one having a beautiful lyrical melody with the lyrics translating "on the highest cliff I stand, I sing and the echo floats upward from the dark valley far away....So far from me does my love dwell." The middle section, a more sour and somber melody, reflects "deep grief...my joy is at an end...I'm so lonely here." And then the third changes to a spritely series of musical runs that express the joy of Spring, as the Shepherd makes the choice to go traveling to see his love. It was gorgeous to see the playful echoing of melodies and eventual harmonies taking place between Heather and Ed, between the voice and the clarinet, and how they switched from the sweet to the sour to the sweet effortlessly. As usual, Heather's rich but focused soprano voice made shivers down my arms, and Ed's wonderfully dextrous clarinet thrilled us 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: Cheo Bourne
Bobbie Horowitz
Rian Keating
Jerome Weinstein
Marnie Klar
Carlos Pinero
Audrey Appleby (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Bob Diamond (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Candace Oden
Gay Marshall (with Michael Lavine on piano)
Salon Spotlight: Liz Robertson (with Ritt Henn on bass)
Tanya Moberly (with Ritt Henn on bass)
Classical Corner: Heather Bobeck, Ed Gilmore (on clarinet), and Mark Janas (on piano)
BREAK
Co-Host: Cheo Bourne (duet with Lena Moy-Borgen)
Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Daniel Sean Kremer (with self on guitar)
Ira Lee Collings
Barb Malley
Diane Carey
Janet Laing
Jason Garcia Ignacio
Alison Pena
DG Brandemour
Amy Beth Williams
Kathleen Stuart
Heather Bobeck
Co-Host: Cheo Bourne
Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Ritt Henn, Ed Gilmore, Michael Lavine, Daniel Sean Kremer, and Matthew Martin Ward!
And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, and David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff who make sure all the sweets are sweet and all the whisky sours are super sour!
Ongoing Shows:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com
Multiple weekends around New York City, Candace Oden can be see in Accomplice The Show, the interactive group experience.
Upcoming Shows:
Monday, April 3, 2017 (7pm): Barb Malley in The Three Tomatoes's "Tomatoes Got Talent" show semi-finalists at Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, NYC
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 (7pm): Carlos Pinero, Janet Lang, and other Cabaret students of Kevin Scott Hall show "That Singing Feeling" showcase at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 (7pm): Gay Marshall in "Gay's Paree" at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Thursday, April 6, 2017 (7:30pm): Liz Robertson, with Mark Janas on piano and Ritt Henn on bass, in "Lerner Without Loewe" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, April 8, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward plays for Liz Rubino in "Make Yourself Comfortable" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, April 15th, 2017 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn in "Lovely Day Tomorrow" with Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, April 21, 2017 (7pm): Barb Malley is bringing back her show, "OMG - Am I A Diva?" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, April 21, 2017 (7pm): Audrey Appleby in "Ladies Cheap Cocktails," a revue of original songs, at Cafe Noctambulo at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Sunday, April 30, 2017 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) at "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, and will be performing a showcase for the NYU Graduate Musical Theater writing program.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 (7pm): Bob Diamond in a showcase at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (8:15pm): Lena Moy-Borgen is appearing in "Lena Lena Lena: The Awards Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, May 6, 2017 (8:15pm): Lena Moy-Borgen is appearing in "Lena Lena Lena: The Awards Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling in "Love Lust and Longing" with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, May 15, 2017 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number", this time featuring Peggy Eason, Rian Keating, and Tex Arnold, who succeed despite physical disabilities, at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "Carried Away," with Daryl Kojak (piano), Ritt Henn (bass), Will Holshouser (accordion), and John Henry Williams (violin) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "Carried Away," with Daryl Kojak (piano), Ritt Henn (bass), Will Holshouser (accordion), and John Henry Williams (violin) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
NEXT WEEK's SALON will be April 9th with the theme "Still Happy," and Co-Host Danny Bacher will make sure that'll stay the truth all evening long!
Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Updates and kitten pictures can be emailed to me!
Mark Janas, ever the collector of talented friends, brought forth two such friends from his past and his present for Classical Corner. On hand - or literally, on vocals - was Soprano Heather Bobeck and on literal hands (and lips) was clarinetist Ed Gilmore, who performed Franz Schubert's "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" ("Shepherd On The Rock") with Mark on piano. Mark first Ed met in college; Mark set up an audition for Ed to perform at a resort hotel, and put two very hard pieces by Brahms down to 'test' Ed, who then proceeded to blow him out of the water and get the job...and they've been friends ever since. Heather came to New York City from North Carolina, and also blew people out of the water this past year by winning the local the Metropolitan Opera District auditions.
Back to "Shepherd on the Rock"! This 1828 piece was composed in the last few months of Schubert's life; he died at age 29, and not very confident in his work. Apparently, at one gathering it was heard that Beethoven was in attendance, and in a panic Schubert ran out of the event hall, unaware that years later, when Beethoven was sick, he looked through a volume of Schubert's work and declared him a genius. "Shepherd on the Rock" is a chamber piece, and uses lieber motifs, or an extensive song utilizing beautiful pastoral imagery. The song itself is the musings of a shepherd with his sheep, a rather boring job, with long hours to wile away. It's split into sections, with the first one having a beautiful lyrical melody with the lyrics translating "on the highest cliff I stand, I sing and the echo floats upward from the dark valley far away....So far from me does my love dwell." The middle section, a more sour and somber melody, reflects "deep grief...my joy is at an end...I'm so lonely here." And then the third changes to a spritely series of musical runs that express the joy of Spring, as the Shepherd makes the choice to go traveling to see his love. It was gorgeous to see the playful echoing of melodies and eventual harmonies taking place between Heather and Ed, between the voice and the clarinet, and how they switched from the sweet to the sour to the sweet effortlessly. As usual, Heather's rich but focused soprano voice made shivers down my arms, and Ed's wonderfully dextrous clarinet thrilled us 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: Cheo Bourne
Bobbie Horowitz
Rian Keating
Jerome Weinstein
Marnie Klar
Carlos Pinero
Audrey Appleby (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Bob Diamond (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Candace Oden
Gay Marshall (with Michael Lavine on piano)
Salon Spotlight: Liz Robertson (with Ritt Henn on bass)
Tanya Moberly (with Ritt Henn on bass)
Classical Corner: Heather Bobeck, Ed Gilmore (on clarinet), and Mark Janas (on piano)
BREAK
Co-Host: Cheo Bourne (duet with Lena Moy-Borgen)
Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Daniel Sean Kremer (with self on guitar)
Ira Lee Collings
Barb Malley
Diane Carey
Janet Laing
Jason Garcia Ignacio
Alison Pena
DG Brandemour
Amy Beth Williams
Kathleen Stuart
Heather Bobeck
Co-Host: Cheo Bourne
Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Ritt Henn, Ed Gilmore, Michael Lavine, Daniel Sean Kremer, and Matthew Martin Ward!
And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, and David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff who make sure all the sweets are sweet and all the whisky sours are super sour!
Ongoing Shows:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com
Multiple weekends around New York City, Candace Oden can be see in Accomplice The Show, the interactive group experience.
Upcoming Shows:
Monday, April 3, 2017 (7pm): Barb Malley in The Three Tomatoes's "Tomatoes Got Talent" show semi-finalists at Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, NYC
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 (7pm): Carlos Pinero, Janet Lang, and other Cabaret students of Kevin Scott Hall show "That Singing Feeling" showcase at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 (7pm): Gay Marshall in "Gay's Paree" at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Thursday, April 6, 2017 (7:30pm): Liz Robertson, with Mark Janas on piano and Ritt Henn on bass, in "Lerner Without Loewe" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, April 8, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward plays for Liz Rubino in "Make Yourself Comfortable" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, April 15th, 2017 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn in "Lovely Day Tomorrow" with Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, April 21, 2017 (7pm): Barb Malley is bringing back her show, "OMG - Am I A Diva?" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, April 21, 2017 (7pm): Audrey Appleby in "Ladies Cheap Cocktails," a revue of original songs, at Cafe Noctambulo at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Sunday, April 30, 2017 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) at "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, and will be performing a showcase for the NYU Graduate Musical Theater writing program.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 (7pm): Bob Diamond in a showcase at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (8:15pm): Lena Moy-Borgen is appearing in "Lena Lena Lena: The Awards Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, May 6, 2017 (8:15pm): Lena Moy-Borgen is appearing in "Lena Lena Lena: The Awards Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Dan Ruth in "A Life Behind Bars" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling in "Love Lust and Longing" with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, May 15, 2017 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number", this time featuring Peggy Eason, Rian Keating, and Tex Arnold, who succeed despite physical disabilities, at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "Carried Away," with Daryl Kojak (piano), Ritt Henn (bass), Will Holshouser (accordion), and John Henry Williams (violin) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "Carried Away," with Daryl Kojak (piano), Ritt Henn (bass), Will Holshouser (accordion), and John Henry Williams (violin) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
NEXT WEEK's SALON will be April 9th with the theme "Still Happy," and Co-Host Danny Bacher will make sure that'll stay the truth all evening long!
Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Updates and kitten pictures can be emailed to me!
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