Monday, September 24, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 23, 2018: "Furry Friends"

Purity of love for our animals - it's simple! They just want us for our food! claimed Mark as he introduced our Co-Host for the evening, the winner of 2018's "Mama's Next Big Act," Lynda Rodolitz, who gleefully and wonderfully helped us celebrate the theme of "Furry Friends." Steven Ray Watkins was on hand (well, two) to play piano for Lynda, who opened up with what she called her mission statement: "Spread a Little Sunshine" from Pippin, which was sung with gusto and more than a little tongue in cheek. After the break, she continued the charm with the swingingly humorous "Chimp in a Suit." Lynda went through her dating history a bit - "Meek like a lamb, sly as a fox, hung like a horse (it wasn't all bad)" - then wistfully sang a lovely combination of "Once Upon a Time/Hello, Young Lovers." She completed her Act II opening set with "Don't Bug Me," a soaring and trill-filled song sung by the Great Decapitator herself, the Praying Mantis. Lynda artfully went there, in a hilarious manner...I can tell you, don't interrupt a Mantis when she's praying! To complete this furry, fuzzy, fanged and scaly evening, Lynda brought it home (through the pet door) with a touching song about what's truly important - doing the work we're doing no matter what gets in our way, "If I Could've Been" from the musical Working.

As the winner of Mama's Next Big Act, Lynda promises her show "Animal Magnetism" will trot into  Don't Tell Mama's and paw into your heart in February, 2019.

Photo: CabareScenes.com by Maryann Lopinto
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner 

Cellist Ben Larsen, who is the Artistic Director of the chamber music series "Concerts on the Slope", was on hand to brilliantly play for the Classical Corner with Mark. While he was setting up, Mark introduced the "E minor Cello sonata" by Brahms. A classicist, Brahams did repeats after repeats, but Mark did not chose the repeats; he's played this piece in graduate school, but hasn't touched it since. When rehearsing at home, he even sang the cello part. After Mark explained his history with it, Ben played a bit of the theme, while Mark explained that typically, the piano provides the bass and the harmony to the melody from the cello in most sonatas. Not so with this piece! Instead, the piano takes over at moments to play the theme, while the cello provides some trade-off harmonies and rich bass notes for the pianist to bounce the melodies off of. Rich with texture, this piece trips and soars and roars with some gorgeous tension and beautiful emotions while the added cello interlaces with the piano. Mark also read off some YouTube comments to this piece: "this cello sonata is dank as fuc [sic] homies," "the first few minutes taste like brownies and grapes with whipped cream," and "goddamn, this is a tasty jam." While some of these comments were hilarious, most of them praised the work, including this one: "I bow to you, Johannes Brahms, for such autumnal beauty," so it was a wonderful start to the first Salon of Fall! 

Then, to honor the theme, Mark and Ben performed together the 13th movement of The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-SaĆ«ns "Le cygne" (The Swan). In this, the cellist is the soloist, embodying the grace and flowing beauty of the swan, while the piano is the rippling and ever-changing lake water beneath it. It was all such gorgeous, twinkling and emotional music! A true treat.

Ben Larsen
Salon Spotlight 

Theater performer and soon-to-debut-her-Cabaret performer Jennifer Bangs was our Salon Spotlight! She is having her NYC cabaret debut this fall at Don't Tell Mama with a monologues-set-with-songs that she wrote, "She Bangs She Bangs: Marriage, Adultery, Texas and Jesus," which is being Directed by Tanya Moberly. After Steven Ray Watkins piano introduced our Spotlight with piano and vocals on the title song, Jennifer took to the stage to sing the flirty and fun "A Wink and a Smile" with a lovely mezzo soprano. After some story-telling about the search for a husband, she went into "The Next Ten Minutes" - featuring lovely harmonies by Steven - from the musical The Last Five Years. Reminiscing about her early days as a mother, she then went into her original song, "Van Nuys," which was full of emotion and connective power.

"She Bangs She Bangs" will debut on Friday, October 19th at 9:30pm, Monday, November 12th at 7pm, and Saturday, December 1st at 5pm, all at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W. 46th Street, NYC. With Steven Ray Watkins on piano, Dan Fabricatore on bass, Don Kelly on Drums. Directed by Tanya Moberly. $20 cover, 2 drink minimum.

Jennifer Bangs
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: Lynda Rodolitz (Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Madelaine Warren
Maria Corsaro
Lou Iacovino
Frances O'Flynn (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Matthew Martin Ward and Frances O'Flynn (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Sally Darling (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Janice Hall (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano) 
Salon SpotlightJennifer Bangs (Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Classical Corner (with Ben Larsen on cello)
BREAK
Co-Host: Lynda Rodolitz (Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Tanya Moberly (Steven Ray Watkins at the piano and on vocals)
Eleonor England
Bennett Silverstein
Andrea Axelrod
Richie Eisenberg
Robin Kradles
Co-Host: Lynda Rodolitz (Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Ben Larsen, Matthew Martin Ward, Steven Ray Watkins. Also thanks to David Ballard 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, 6:30-7:30pm: "Peaceable Hour" is at St. Malachy's (The Actor's Church) in September. Take a break from the stress of the city, and immerse yourself in beautiful music, with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson. 239 W 49th Street, NYC. (FREE!)

Upcoming Shows:

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.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (7pm): John Rinaldi with Matthew Martin Ward at piano will perform at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, September 27, 2018 (7pm): Lou Iacovino performs a set at Parnell's, 350 E 53rd Street, 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," celebrating six artists born in 1918. Music director is John M. Cook and Tom Hubbard is on bass at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 4, 2018 (7:00 pm): Barb Malley takes us "From Brooklyn to Broadway," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 11, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will be in "The Church of the Alien Love Child Presents the Passion of Reverend Yolanda" by Justin Anderson Taylor, Rev. Yolanda Roger Anthony Mapes, Justin Anderson Taylor, Phil Carroll, and Eric Tipler, Directed by Shaun Peknic at BRIC House Artist Studio, 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Friday, October 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will be in "The Church of the Alien Love Child Presents the Passion of Reverend Yolanda" by Justin Anderson Taylor, Rev. Yolanda Roger Anthony Mapes, Justin Anderson Taylor, Phil Carroll, and Eric Tipler, Directed by Shaun Peknic at BRIC House Artist Studio, 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Saturday, October 13, 2018 (2:00 pm): The final NY encore performance of Dan Ruth's award-winning "A Life Behind Bars," directed by Tanya Moberly, will be at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, 2018 (1:00 pm): Marnie Klar and Renee Katz help Richard Skipper celebrate "The Abundant Life," at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd, NYC.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (7:00 pm): Barb Malley takes us "From Brooklyn to Broadway," at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

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.

Monday, October 22, 2018 (7pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad for Romance" with Barry Kleinbort as Director and Christopher Denny as Musical Director at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, October 23rd, Weds Oct 24th, Thurs October 25th, 2018 (7pm): David Sabella performs as part of Lorna Luft's show "To “L” and Back!" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, 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. 

Sunday, October 28, 2018 (3:30pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad for Romance" with Barry Kleinbort as Director and Christopher Denny as Musical Director 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.

Sunday, November 4, 2018 (6pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad for Romance" with Barry Kleinbort as Director and Christopher Denny as Musical Director 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.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 (7pm): Maria Corsaro in "Love...It's Complicated" 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.

Saturday, November 10, 2018 (4pm): Maria Corsaro in "Love...It's Complicated" 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.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (7pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad for Romance" with Barry Kleinbort as Director and Christopher Denny as Musical Director at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (7pm): Bennett Silverstein performs "Born to be Bennett," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher 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.

Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): Maria Corsaro in "Love...It's Complicated" 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 and as a soloist) performs in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.

Monday, November 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly performs in "Hidden Treasures VI: Songs of Larry Kerchner" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, 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.

Sunday, December 2, 2018 (4pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, 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.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly in Lennie Watts' Christmas Show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, 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 22, 2018 (7pm): "Sally Darling Sings Beatrice Lillie" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director 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! September 30th, 2018: 
The theme this coming Sunday will be "It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish" and will be Co-Hosted by Judi Mark. We'll also have the terrific Salon Spotlight, the lovely Amy Beth Williams So bring your songs about travel, getting things started, getting things done, or just getting things going, and join us on Sunday!

-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via emailsirein@sierrarein.com

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