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
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.
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.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Co-Host: Ricky Ritzel & Company
Tommy Dose
Tara Martinez
Ira Lee Collins
Ronni Faust
Angela Leone
Lucille Kaffashan
Jeff Cubeta
Sidney Myer & Tommy Dose
Janice Hall
Maureen Taylor
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
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
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
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