Wherever he is, Leonard Bernstein probably feels a little miffed about his birthday being upstaged by the deaths of John McCain and Neil Simon's this weekend. "Always a showman!" as Mark said. However, 100 years ago on August 25th, the world was made better by the birth of this Maestro, and we were at Etcetera Etcetera to celebrate his work and life. The tables were festooned with wonderful center pieces, courtesy of David Gillam, and fingers and voices were warmed up to sing some amazing Bernstein work, among others. Many traditions were kept, starting with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, opening the evening with a two-pianist (four-handed) version of the Overture to Candide.
Our Co-Host for this momentous celebration was a tradition for The Salon, for Mark Janas' career, and indeed for the Cabaret world! 20 years back, Mark played for her debut Cabaret show, and tonight he played for her again: our Co-Host was MAC, Nitelife, Bistro, Julie Wilson Award-Winning, and 10-year Bernstein Salon Celebration Hostess, Julie Reyburn! Last night, she sang "Tonight" from West Side Story to get the festivities rolling. Julie has an amazing range, mezzo-soprano with a knack for making old lyrics fresh and in the moment. I always love hearing Julie, as she is pitch-perfect yet enriching every note with emotional clarity and wry humor when it becomes important to bend the pitch or the line of the melody. She also sang as part of Classical Corner (more information below), duetting with Zach Wobensmith on material from Trouble in Tahiti. She returned at the top of Act II to perform again from Trouble in Tahiti, singing the penultimate rage song against schmaltzy romantic cinema, "What a Movie!" (complete with Stephen Wilde, Joseph Di Salle and myself, Sierra Rein, as an enthusiastically hammy backup trio, festooned with strategically-placed spare yarmulkes from last week's bar mitzvah). Julie continued the Bernstein Salon tradition by singing the duet "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" from West Side Story with Tanya Moberly. To finish the evening, Julie brought back Stephen, Joseph, and me, to sing the wonderful parting quartet "Some Other Time" from On The Town, featuring adjusted lyrics to reflect all the amazing Bernstein songs left unsung that night.
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| Julie Reyburn Photo by Maryann Lopinto |
Trouble in Tahiti (1953) has an interesting creation story, which Mark went into a bit for Classical Corner. Written during Bernstein's Honeymoon, the show is about a married couple - seemingly living in a perfect white-picket-fence suburban ideal - who are experiencing a lack of communication and individually struggle with their feelings of intimacy and worth. "Sam" and "Dinah" bicker and struggle with each other throughout the show while a Greek Chorus-like trio of singers pop in and out with backup vocals and commentary. For Classical Corner, Zach Wobensmith sang "Sam," Julie Reyburn sang "Dinah," and Stephen Wilde, Joseph Di Salle and Sierra Rein performed the trio, in an excerpt of the show. You can read a synopsis here of the entire show, but for Salon the following was performed:
Scene II - Young Sam (Zach) works in his Office, while the trio comments on his business savvy
Scene III - "There is a Garden" - Dinah (Julie) at the psychiatrist, talking about a dream she had, while Sam has a moment of discussion with his secretary about an "incident."
Scene IV - Sam and Dinah run into each other in the street and make up reasons why they can't have lunch together. They then part ways, each thinking of their regrets and stuck feeling in relating to the other person, both wanting to "find a way back to the garden, where we we began."
Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Saturday, September 22, 2018 (2pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (9:30pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Thursday, September 27 thru Sunday, September 30, 2018 (6pm): Zach Wobensmith performs in "Into the Woods" in Concert at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 (3:30pm): The Cabaret Theater Workshop Showcase, directed by Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, September 30, 2018 (4pm): Andrea Axelrod sings "Centenary" with John M. Cook at the piano and Tom Hubbard on bass at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 19, 2018 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Scene II - Young Sam (Zach) works in his Office, while the trio comments on his business savvy
Scene III - "There is a Garden" - Dinah (Julie) at the psychiatrist, talking about a dream she had, while Sam has a moment of discussion with his secretary about an "incident."
Scene IV - Sam and Dinah run into each other in the street and make up reasons why they can't have lunch together. They then part ways, each thinking of their regrets and stuck feeling in relating to the other person, both wanting to "find a way back to the garden, where we we began."
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.
Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward (both on piano)
Julie Reyburn
Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward (both on piano)
Julie Reyburn
Rian Keating
Andrea Levitt (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Andrea Axelrod (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Janice Hall (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and Amy Ralske on cello)
Zach Wobensmith (plus Amy Ralske on cello)
Jared Gilmore
Classical Corner (with Sierra Rein, Stephen Wilde and Joseph Di Salle)
BREAK
Julie Reyburn (with Sierra Rein, Stephen Wilde and Joseph Di Salle)
BREAK
Julie Reyburn (with Sierra Rein, Stephen Wilde and Joseph Di Salle)
Julie Reyburn and Tanya Moberly
Tanya Moberly
Jacqueline Shoda-Iwasaki
Sarah Rice and Janice Hall (with Darryl Curry at the piano)
Julie Reyburn (with Sierra Rein, Stephen Wilde and Joseph Di Salle)
Encores:
Becca Kidwell
Bobbie Horowitz (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Rian Keating (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Barb Malley (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Andrea Levitt (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, and Amy Ralske. Also thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, our videographer Steve Bustamante, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.
Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:
Ongoing Performances:
Tuesdays, (6-7pm) (Performing August 28th, then on hiatus for 3 weeks): Take a break from the stress of the city, and spend a "Peaceable Hour" with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson, in the chapel at St. Clements Church, 423 W 46th Street, NYC. (FREE!)
Upcoming Shows:
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly helps judge the final "Mama's Next Big Act" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, August 31, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will be a part of Ricky Ritzel's Broadway at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, September 8th, 2018 (8pm): Zach Wobensmith performs in benefit concert "The Flood" for Puerto Rico at The Times Center, 242 W 41st St, NYC.
Sunday, September 9th, 2018 (7pm): "Opera at Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant," featuring our own Office Manager, Jacqueline Shoda-Iwasaki, at Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant, 352 W. 44th Street Upstairs, NYC.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 (7pm): Rian Keating, Andrea Levitt, Marsha Roney and others perform in The Cabaret Theater Workshop Showcase, directed by Peter Napolitano, with musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, September 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tanya Moberly
Jacqueline Shoda-Iwasaki
Sarah Rice and Janice Hall (with Darryl Curry at the piano)
Julie Reyburn (with Sierra Rein, Stephen Wilde and Joseph Di Salle)
Encores:
Becca Kidwell
Bobbie Horowitz (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Rian Keating (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Barb Malley (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Andrea Levitt (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, and Amy Ralske. Also thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, our videographer Steve Bustamante, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.
Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:
Ongoing Performances:
Tuesdays, (6-7pm) (Performing August 28th, then on hiatus for 3 weeks): Take a break from the stress of the city, and spend a "Peaceable Hour" with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson, in the chapel at St. Clements Church, 423 W 46th Street, NYC. (FREE!)
Upcoming Shows:
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly helps judge the final "Mama's Next Big Act" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, August 31, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will be a part of Ricky Ritzel's Broadway at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, September 8th, 2018 (8pm): Zach Wobensmith performs in benefit concert "The Flood" for Puerto Rico at The Times Center, 242 W 41st St, NYC.
Sunday, September 9th, 2018 (7pm): "Opera at Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant," featuring our own Office Manager, Jacqueline Shoda-Iwasaki, at Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant, 352 W. 44th Street Upstairs, NYC.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 (7pm): Rian Keating, Andrea Levitt, Marsha Roney and others perform in The Cabaret Theater Workshop Showcase, directed by Peter Napolitano, with musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, September 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, September 16, 2018 (3pm): Becca Kidwell will be a part of Reverend Yolanda's "Church With a Two-Drink Minimum," at Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Avenue A, NYC.
Sunday, September 16, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) performs in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Saturday, September 22, 2018 (2pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (9:30pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Thursday, September 27 thru Sunday, September 30, 2018 (6pm): Zach Wobensmith performs in "Into the Woods" in Concert at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.
Saturday, September 29, 2018 (3:30pm): The Cabaret Theater Workshop Showcase, directed by Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, September 30, 2018 (4pm): Andrea Axelrod sings "Centenary" with John M. Cook at the piano and Tom Hubbard on bass at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, October 6, 2018 (4:00pm): Rian Keating performs "Sentimental Melancholia" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC
Saturday, October 13, 2018 (4pm): Becca Kidwell will be a "Fangirl" in her solo show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 16 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 16 (8pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas in "Thank You For Your Love" at The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number," with Bob Diamond and Marnie Klar performing, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 16 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 16 (8pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas in "Thank You For Your Love" at The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number," with Bob Diamond and Marnie Klar performing, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 19, 2018 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) performs in a special Halloween "Into Sweeney Todd's Woods: Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 10, 2018 (1pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 10, 2018 (1pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 25, 2018 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) performs in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.
Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 1, 2018 (5pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 7, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 9, 2018 (3:30pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, December 10, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 29, 2018 (4pm): "Sally Darling Sings Beatrice Lillie" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
NEXT SALON! - Sunday, September 16th, 2018:
Reminder, there will be NO SALON September 2 and September 9, 2018 (instead, on the 9th, go see some Opera in the same space and time!). The next Salon will be on September 16th with our own Barb Malley as Co-Host, giving us the Theme (and hopefully the answer) to "The Secret Of Life."
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Email me if any issues!
Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 1, 2018 (5pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 7, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 9, 2018 (3:30pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, December 10, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, December 29, 2018 (4pm): "Sally Darling Sings Beatrice Lillie" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, December 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
NEXT SALON! - Sunday, September 16th, 2018:
Reminder, there will be NO SALON September 2 and September 9, 2018 (instead, on the 9th, go see some Opera in the same space and time!). The next Salon will be on September 16th with our own Barb Malley as Co-Host, giving us the Theme (and hopefully the answer) to "The Secret Of Life."
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Email me if any issues!
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