Mark Janas - The Salon: October 2018

Monday, October 29, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 28th, 2018: "The World Is A Scary Place – Halloween Traditions Around The Globe"

It has been one of the most popular evenings of the year, and last night met expectations for our Halloween Salon: the top floor was filled with talent, ghouls, scary parodies, and inventive ways to interpret the theme of "The World Is A Scary Place – Halloween Traditions Around The Globe." Mark Janas popped the musical coffin open with a minor version of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," complete with scary parody lyrics. Our Producing Witch for the evening (and admittedly every evening of the year) Tanya Moberly, gave us the spooky schpiel of how the evening was going to go, and Mark introduced our Co-Hosts for the evening: Fifth Time Halloween Co-Hosts Janice Hall and Adam Shapiro! We also had amazing decorations by David Gillam, with table settings, hanging ghosts and skeletons, and some candy to make the place properly festive.

Janice came to the stage first, dressed in gothic Romanian dress, carrying a massive book entitled "Ye Olde Halloween Traditions" to teach us a few things about the October 31st celebration, starting from the old Gaelic Harvest traditions. Games, fortune telling, and bonfires were a part of the celebrations, so she (with the help of Sarah Rice on vocals) performed the dramatic song "Fires at Midnight" with Matthew Martin Ward on the piano and vocals. Janice went on to discuss the somewhat dismissed Halloween practices in France (which they seem to poo-poo like American fast food chains). But not everything in France is scary, as Co-Host Adam Shapiro entered in full French Mime costuming, and sang "La Vie En Rose" in both French and English.

For the mid-show set Janice, this time dramatically cross-dressed in a top hat and cape, went back to her book to read about Romania's Halloween, and how Vampires are not only found in this country - she sang the appropriately moody "Moon Over Bourbon Street" by the rockstar singer-songwriter Sting. We then got a History of the Jewish Mother lesson in two parts: first, a visit from Adam straight from Anatevka (appropriately so, since he is currently performing in the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof): he entered dressed head to toe as a frumpy Jewish Mother, singing "A Yiddishe Mame" alongside a photo of Bobbie Horowitz. Part 2 then happened, providing Adam a moment to quick-change into vibrant gold lame dress and digging into all my half-Jewish nightmares with the frantically-paced "Where's the Bathroom?" (with myself as her daughter) from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

At the end of the evening (and another delightful costume change later) Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Adam) did thank you's to Etcetera Etcetera and the crew of The Salon in her typical deadpan way, when suddenly Kellyanne Conway (Janice) raged in with a glass of white wine in hand, and together they wound down our jam-packed evening of fun and frightening frivolity, with the end-of-the-world scenario song, "Political Science." The two of them, and all their wonderful songs and Co-Hosting skills, again proved that this Halloween evening is a never-to-miss event of the year (view all their Halloween Costumes at the end of this blog)!

Salon Spotlight: Dr. Bradley Jones

Our Salon Spotlight was Dr. Bradley Jones, a psychotherapist with a musical theater tenor voice and a wicked sense of humor regarding the human mind and psychology. With Music Director Mike Pettry at the piano, the smartly-dressed Doctor started out with the jazzy "You Mustn't Kick it Around." After asking us "what is more terrifying than a card-carrying narcissist?" he went into his history with Showbiz itself and into the psychology of a smitten and obsessed musical theater performer, with almost deadly thoughts behind his motivations. He then introduced us to his own "Fabulous Functional Narcissism" - and the upcoming show with the same name Directed by KT Sullivan (whose birthday is on Halloween!) - with the song "Life is Absolute Perfection." Speaking of Dr. Freud and those who disagreed with him on the sources of narcissism, Bradley broke into "You Gotta Have Me Go With You." Digging into a reparative fantasy about fatherhood, he then dedicated his final song, "Very Soft Shoes" from Once Upon a Mattress to his father, complete with a softshoe tapping break.

"Dr. Bradley’s Fabulous Functional Narcissism," a show to benefit the American Songbook Association (ASA) will be presented on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 7pm. Reservations highly recommended via Don't Tell Mama or by calling (212) 757-0788. You can also visit the Facebook Event Page for more information.

Classical Corner:

For the Halloween Classical Corner this year, Mark introduced an interesting and dark piece by Franz Schubert: "Erlkönig" or his Opus 1, which is unique in that a single singer performed four different roles. It's also interesting in that the piano arrangement is set it in a way that "makes every pianist want to kill Schubert". With an evil-sounding left-handed bass (Mark described it as a darkly Dudly Do-Right mustache-twirling theme) and a freakishly fast right hand, the pianist backs up a vocal soloist, who has has 4 roles to play: The Narrator, The Father and the Son (both on a horse) and an Evil Spirit (the Earl King, or "Fairy-King"). However, this fairy is not sparkles and wands, but a Grimm version of the magical creature. The story is definitely in the vein of a dark German fairy-tale: The Son keeps hearing a voice as he and his father ride horses home. This voice is the Elf-King, who taunts and tempts the Son with glorious delights, while the Father dismisses him countless times until they start to panic and decide to ride one horse home like the wind (the music speeds up then slows down like a horse at this time). However, when they arrive at their destination, the father finds his son dead in his arms, a victim of the Elf King's powers. To aid in bringing this dramatic and tragic cautionary tale to life, Zach Wobensmith first read the English text first, then sang the piece with great dramatic and vocal power. There's a cool animated version of this on YouTube to watch, if you want to get further into the Halloween 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: Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Sarah Rice (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano and Janice Hall on vocals)
Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Michael Colby (with Paul Katz at the piano and vocals)
Cathy Cavender
Susan Mack
Marnie Klar
Raissa Katona Bennett
Richie Eisenberg (with the help of Adam and Janice as dressers!)
Rian Keating
Angela Leone
Sierra Rein
Salon Spotlight: Dr. Bradley Jones (with Mike Pettry at the piano)
Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Janice Hall
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro (with Sierra Rein)
Tanya Moberly
Maria Corsaro (with Jon Cook at the piano)
Ira Lee Collings (with Jon Cook at the piano)
Josephine Sanges (with Jon Cook at the piano)
Ben Boecker (self on guitar)
Bobbie Horowitz
Louisa Lee Poster
Mark Dundas Wood
Janet Laing
Joan Jaffe
Donald Martin
June Kamerling
Steve Bustamente
David Ballard
Zach Wobensmith
Mark Watson
Co-Hosts: Janice Hall and Adam Shapiro

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Mike Pettry, Ben Boecker, Jon Cook, and Matthew Martin Ward. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer Steve Bustamente, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.

Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:

Ongoing Performances:

Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm: take a break from the stress of the city, and immerse yourself in beautiful music, with "Peaceable Hour," with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson. At either St. Clement's Church or St. Malachy's Church, NYC. Check St. Clement's website for location and time each week. (FREE!)

Upcoming Shows:

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 (7pm): "Dr. Bradley’s Fabulous Functional Narcissism," with Music Director Mike Pettry and Director KT Sullivan will benefit the American Songbook Association (ASA) 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.

Saturday, November 3, 2018 (2pm): Mark Dundas Wood and Janet Laing in Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling" presentation at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

Saturday, November 3, 2018 (8pm/9:30pm curtain): Josephine Sanges (with Jon Cook at the piano) in "I Hear Music...The music of Harold Arlen, Richard Whiting, Ann Hampton Callaway & more!!!" at The Beech Cafe, 1326 2nd Avenue, NYC.

Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): Mark Dundas Wood and Janet Laing in Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling" presentation at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward, with director Peter Napolitano. in "A Musical Revue: Urban Stages' 35th Season Retrospective" at Urban Stages for the Patron's Night. 259 West 30th 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 with MD Jon Cook 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: Cathy Cavender at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

Saturday, November 10, 2018 (4pm): Maria Corsaro with MD Jon Cook 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.

Monday, November 13, 2018: Raissa Katona Bennett celebrates the release of her CD, with a reprise of the show "Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern," at Green Room 42, 570 10th Ave, 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 with MD Jon Cook 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.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (8pm): Michael Colby presents "The Algonquin Kid," at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 (7pm): Louisa Lee Poster's CD Release Party for "Steppin' Out in High Heels" at The Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Avenue A, NYC.

Sunday, November 25, 2018 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five and as a soloist) a part of"Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, Cellar, NYC.

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

Tuesday, November 27, 2018: Raissa Katona Bennett celebrates the release of her CD, with a reprise of the show "Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern," at Green Room 42, 570 10th Ave, NYC.

Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm): Susan Mack's debut show "Nobody Else But Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, 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 (4pm): Rian Keating performs "Sentimental Melancholia: Songs for the Lost and Lonely" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 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 (3:30pm): Angela Leone in "All My Tomorrows" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 2, 2018 (4pm): See Janice Hall and Tanya Moberly in "Lennie Watts and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.

Monday, December 3, 2018 (7pm): Susan Mack's debut show "Nobody Else But Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 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.

Saturday, December 8, 2018 (5:30pm): Susan Mack's debut show "Nobody Else But Me" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 9, 2018 (3:30pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform their 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): See Janice Hall and Tanya Moberly in "Lennie Watts and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular," 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.

Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents her Holiday version of "It's Just a Number" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 16th, 2018 (3pm): Sally Darling reprises her Bea Lillie show, with Matthew Martin Ward, at Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Festival, 259 W 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 (7pm): Zach Wobensmith will be in Sue Matsuki's "People You Should Know" at Urban Stages, 259 W 30th St, 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! November 4th, 2018:
Our Theme for the first Salon of November will be something sweet....as in: "Something Sweet!"
Our Co-Host will be song man and multiple MAC and Broadway World Nominee Jeff Macauley, and our Salon Spotlight will be Broadway alumna Raissa Katona Bennett.

And now...the costumes:

Janice, opening look

Adam, opening look, trapped in a box

Janice in top hat and cape

Part 1: Yiddish Mom

Part 2: Jewish Mom, Modern

Kellyanne Conway and Sarah Huckabee Sanders

-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via email

Monday, October 22, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 21st, 2018: "High Hopes!"

Well, the weather outside was frightful-ly cold, but Salon, as always, was warm and welcoming. perhaps especially so tonight, since the theme was "High Hopes." Our co-host was 2-time MAC nominee Michael Kirk Lane: actor, singer, puppeteer, film maker, emcee, and who knows what else. Host Mark Janas introduced Michael, then joined him to harmonize on the opening number, the song that was a must for this evening, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Heusen's "High Hopes."

Michael Kirk Lane

For his set at the opening of the second half, Michael chose three songs from his critically acclaimed 2015 show, "Now You Know." He opened the set with "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City" (Harry Nilsson), then proceeded to tell us about how, after six exciting months in the Big Apple, he was wrongly accused of a crime, and subsequently had to spend seven years of his life clearing his name, and then suing the people responsible. But, as artists do, he took these experiences and turned them into Art, creating this show. As his show's title song--Stephen Sondheim's "Now You Know," from Merrily We Roll Along--explains, "Now you know...now you grow.". And as Michael so aptly put it, these experiences change us, but they don't define us. To close this set, he offered the song "I Have Found," by William Finn.
As the final number to close out the evening, and his first Salon experience, Michael gave us the bittersweet, but ultimately hopeful, "Laughing Matters" (Howard Crabtree and Mark Waldrop, from When Pigs Fly).

BREAKING NEWS: Michael Kirk Lane's new show, "Glass Half Full," is at Don't Tell Mama tomorrow night (10/22), 7 pm!

Salon Spotlight: Marnie Klar

Tonight, the spotlight was on Salon favorite Marnie Klar, who presented a taste of her upcoming show, "Marnie Klar sings Bobbie Gentry," directed by Salon producer Tanya Moberly. Tanya introduced Marnie and her accompanist, Steven Ray Watkins, and told us that this show was her fifth collaboration with Marnie. She also let us know that, while most of us know Bobbie Gentry's big hit, "Ode to Billie Joe," Bobbie wrote a lot of other great material, and Marnie wowed us with a few of those wonderful songs. She opened with the lively "Poppa, Won't You Let Me Go to Town with You?" A hilarious version of "Ace Insurance Man" followed, giving both Marnie and Steven a chance to show off their acting chops. Next came a beautiful ballad, "I Saw an Angel Die," and, of course, to close it out, Marnie treated us to a great rendition of "Ode to Billie Joe."

"Marnie Klar sings Bobbie Gentry" opens on November 5th at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC, at 7pm, followed by performances on November 10th and 16th, and December 7th. Musical Director is Steven Ray Watkins, featuring Matt Scharglass on bass and Don Kelly on drums.

Marnie Klar

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Host Mark Janas opened tonight's Classical Corner with an observation: if your mind is occupied with something in particular, you will often find references to, or reminders of, that thing wherever you turn. His case in point: he had just been thinking that he didn't play enough Brahms, and should make him the focus of tonight's Classical Corner, when, lo and behold, there in today's New York Times, was an article about Brahms and his use of polyrhythm! So, that became the subject for this evening.
Brahms used rhythms, accents, syncopations, and hemiolas (not a blood disease!) in unexpected ways in his music, as well as utilizing unexpected harmonic changes. He liked to write in bars of six because they could be divided in various ways, making the accents irregular. To illustrate, Mark enlisted the audience in an exercise: while the audience kept a steady 3 beat, with a strong accent on one, Mark played a passage from Brahms's Second Symphony, so that we could really feel how often the accents shifted.
After our rhythmic discussion, Mark played Brahms's Two Rhapsodies, Opus 79, pieces written in the composer's youth. Mark noted that often, the "younger" pieces of a composer may be less subtle and more mainstream than his fully mature works, but they are usually full of passion, and hint at the music to come. Rhapsodies, in particular, are passionate, emotionally open works. The first of these beautiful pieces showed us Brahms's youthful, fiery spirit; the second one a more somber, mysterious tone that builds in intensity.

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.

Michael Kirk Lane
Sally Darling
Ira Lee Collings
Richie Eisenberg
Jaye Maynard
Jared Gilmore (at the piano)
Heather Villaescusa (with Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Bennett Silverstein
Janice Hall
Meg Flather
Salon Spotlight: Marnie Klar (with Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Tanya Moberly (with Steven Ray Watkins at the piano)
Classical Corner

BREAK

Co-Host Michael Kirk Lane
Tanya Moberly
Dawn Melody
Sally Darling
Ira Lee Collings
Raissa Katona Bennett
Heather Villaescusa
Jaye Maynard
Bennett Silverstein
Richie Eisenberg
Jared Gilmore(at the piano)
Michael Kirk Lane

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas and Steven Ray Watkins. Also thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, our videographer Ruben Olvera, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.

Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:

Ongoing Performances:

Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm: take a break from the stress of the city, and immerse yourself in beautiful music, with "Peaceable Hour," with Sarah Rice, Janice Hall, and Mark Watson. At either St. Clement's Church or St. Malachy's Church, NYC. Check St. Clement's website for location and time each week. (FREE!)

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, October 22, 2018 (7pm): Michael Kirk Lane in "Glass Half Full," at
Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 29, 2018, (7pm): Mama's Next Big Act winner Heather Villaescusa reprises her show, "The Happiness Project," with Steven Ray Watkins, musical director, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 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.

Friday, November 9, 2018, (7pm): Mama's Next Big Act winner Heather Villaescusa reprises her show, "The Happiness Project," with Steven Ray Watkins, musical director, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 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.

Monday, November 13, 2018: Raissa Katona Bennett celebrates the release of her CD, with a reprise of the show "Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern," at Green Room 42, 570 10th Ave, 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.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, 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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018: Raissa Katona Bennett celebrates the release of her CD, with a reprise of the show "Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern," at Green Room 42, 570 10th Ave, 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): See Janice Hall and Tanya Moberly in "Lennie Watts and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 402 W 42nd, NYC.

Sunday, December 2, 2018 (6 pm): Meg Flather teams up with Lisa Viggiano for some "Real Joy," Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 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.

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): See Janice Hall and Tanya Moberly in "Lennie Watts and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular," 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.

Sunday, December 16th, 2018 (3 pm): Sally Darling reprises her Bea Lillie show, with Matthew Martin Ward, at Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Festival.

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, October 28th, 2018:

Dust off those costumes and scary masks, bring your candy corn and a song, and join co-hosts Janice Hall and Adam Shapiro for the annual Halloween Salon! This year's theme is "The World is a Scary Place: Halloween Traditions Around the Globe," and Salon Spotlight will be Dr. Bradley Jones.

Janice Hall
Blogette for The Salon
Questions or corrections, email me

Monday, October 15, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 14, 2018: "Make Them Hear You"

Our Co-Host last night goes way back in Mark Janas' history - back in time beyond The Salon at the Algonquin. He is a Backstage Bistro Award winner, actor, theater performer, and an "anything they'll pay him to do" kind of singer - Aaron Lee Battle. For our special event themed "Make Them Hear You," he started out by performing "Simple Joys" from Pippin. Aaron has a gorgeous, rich baritone with soaring and powerful high notes, plus a wicked sense of humor to boot; no matter what he did, he made us glad to hear him!

For the opening of our second half, we had a treat. Aaron Lee Battle (no relation to Kathleen) started out snapping to get us into the smoothly-sung and easily swung "Lucky So and So" by Duke Ellington. which featured some fantastic gospel belting, a few sly winks, and amazingly tricky rhythms. In his past repertoire, Aaron has worked on works written and performed by jazz and blues greats like Ellington, Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, so he went into the sultry "Nature Boy," which was simply but effectively sung, prioritizing the lyrics over vocal fireworks and featuring his storytelling abilities. Aaron is also working on a tribute to Al Jarreau, which he has been working on it for a few years, and we got a taste of it, the soulful "Mornin'," which has probably the sexist mention of Cheerios I have ever heard. To complete his set, he sang "Is You Or Is You Ain't?" by Billy Austin and Louis Jordan, and anyone hearing Aaron sing it would have to respond, "IS!"

And of course, we were all waiting to hear Aaron break out the theme song to the evening, "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime. He obliged, singing at the end of the evening from a role dear to his heart and experience. We loved hearing his passionate and moving rendition, which must have also been powerful in the context of the show - full, rich and powerful, with a message of outspoken power. We can't wait to hear his Al Jarreau show, which will debut at the end of this year or beginning of next, he promises.

Aaron Lee Battle

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

On the theme to "Make Them Hear You" to musicians and a lesson in how the piano works - if you're a pianist, there are certain things you want people to hear and not hear during your performance, especially as an accompanist to singers. Simple textures like those within Bach's music can sound better depending on how the piano is played, especially as our modern instruments make music differently than the harpsichords and organs of Bach's time. On the harpsichord, literally a harp turned sideways with wooden mallets hitting the strings, notes have the same sound value no matter how the keys are hit. Same as on an organ; the sound is dependent on the sound of the instrument rather than the pianist. The introduction of the Piano Forte resulted in the ability for the music to respond in volume depending on the speed of the keys and how they are hit. Open spaces like the box (our chest and sinuses in humans) allow for the energy and kind of sounds we like to hear. When you can play different levels, a piece by Bach played equally on the strings just sounds weird and the melody is not heard. A pianist can lead the voices (melody to bass and back again) more easily on the piano, choosing what to make the audience hear more clearly. Piano is a percussion instrument; it doesn't "sing" the way a violin or oboe does (it can't sustain indefinitely the way a violinist or an oboist with great breath support can). Instead, the pianist creates the illusion of singing by allowing decay to happen and picking it up with the next note, allowing sounds to vibrate from one note to the next and using the pedal to create ring throughout the piece. The accompanist clears these inter-harmonies with the pedal, but you can't overdo the pedal and play it dry - clarity and sound has to be balanced to create a singing but yet not overwhelming accompaniment for the vocalist. Mark went through the music of a few of tonight's song choices, showing off how important these considerations are. He then asked Zach Wobensmith to come up to sing (from memory, no less!) through "Largo al Factotum" from The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini (1816) a few times, each time exemplifying how a pianist can aid or be no help at all to the energy and flow of a piece. Mark then laid down an amazing First Rule of an Accompanist (or really, also as a singer): "You have to listen harder than you play, or listen harder as you sing."

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight on Sunday was lyric mezzo-soprano Madelaine Warren. With an expressive musicality, rich belt, and a few nods to comedy sopranos of the past, Madelaine provided a varied selection of music, starting with the mysterious "Out of This World" by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Stepping out of the unearthly mood of that tune, she swung into the samba with the playful "Day In, Day Out." A fan of Beverly Sills (famous for the line "it took me years to become a star overnight") Madelaine provided some clever lyrics and a lesson in both comedy and biology by ending her trio of works with the phunny, punny, physiology-filled "The Physician."

Madelaine's new show "Mad for Romance" will take place at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC on October 22nd at 7pm, October 28th at 3:30pm, November 4th at 6pm, and November 15th at 7:00pm with Musical Director Christopher Denny and Bob Renino on bass.

Madelaine Warren

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: Aaron Lee Battle
Barb Malley
Zach Wobensmith
Kevin Wood
Mark Dundas Wood
Subiya Mboya (Steven Silverstein at the piano)
Annie Lebeaux
Angela Leone
Bennett Silverstein
Tony DiMeglio
Sylvester McCraken
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Marnie Klar

Salon Spotlight: Madelaine Warren

Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Tanya Moberly

Encores:
Bennett Silverstein
Kevin Wood
Sylvester McCraken
Tony DiMeglio
David Ballard
Zach Wobensmith
Sierra Rein
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Steven Silverstein, and Annie Lebeaux. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer Ruben Olvera, 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!)

Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm: Annie Lebeaux sings and plays piano (and offers the mic to others!) at Townhouse, 236 East 58th Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

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

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, NYC.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents Marnie Klar and more in "It's Just a Number," 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.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, 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 (2pm): Tony DiMeglio in "Rat Pack Undead," a Zombies Parody show at The Green Room 42, Yotel Hotel, 570 10th Ave, 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.

Saturday, November 3, 2018 (2pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher 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.

Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): Mark Dundas Wood in Director Kevin Scott Hall's "That Singing Feeling Showcase," at The Duplex, 61 Christopher 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.

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.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (8pm): "The Algonquin Kid" by Michael Colby, starring Natalie Douglas, Donna English, Eddie Korbich, and T. Oliver Reed, music director Michael Lavine, directed by Charles Repole, at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd St, NYC.

Sunday, November 25, 2018 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five and as a soloist) a part of"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.

Sunday, December 2, 2018: Angela Leone's performance of "All My Tomorrows" 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.

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 15, 2018, 2018: Subiya Mboya in Manhattan School of Music's Showcase at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, 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! October 21st, 2018:

Theme for next week will be "High Hopes"! Our Co-Host will be Michael Kirk Lane, and our Salon Spotlight will be our very own Marnie Klar! Bring songs of wishing, hopes, desires, standing on cliffs or at the top of tall buildings, or perhaps a few 420 songs mixed in...anything goes. Hope to have you there!

-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via email

Monday, October 8, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 7, 2018: "Fall"

Theme for this week is "Fall"! So fall in love, fall out of love, Fall to Winter, anything that fits or falls out of the theme was sung! (and spoken). Our Co-Host is Broadway, National Tour, and Regional Theater star actress Kristine Zbornik! And our Salon Spotlight will be pianist, singer and musical director Kenneth Gartman.

Salon Co Host: Kristine Zbornik:

The New York Post called her a madcap mix of Ethel Merman, Lucille Ball and Bette Midler, her father called her a lazy piece of shit that would never amount to anything, you decide.

High paying jobs: Wicked, National Tour - Madame Morrible; A Catered Affair, Broadway; Mamma Mia – Rosie, Las Vegas; 9 to 5 – Roz, 1st National Tour, recently The Marvelous Mrs. Maizel on Netflix.

Low paying jobs: Into The Woods, Shakespeare in the Park/Delecort Theatre, NYC, Jack’s Mother; Old Jews Telling Jokes; Tales of the City, The Eugene O’Niell Developmental Program; Roadshow, the Public Theater; Shlemiel The First – Off B’way Skirball Center; Forbidden Broadway: Cleans Up It’s Act (Original Cast) and 20th Anniversary (Original Cast); Splendora-Sue Ella Lightfoot, Chelsea Playhouse; I Will Come Back - Friend of Barbara, The Players Theater; An Evening with Joan Crawford - Ethel Merman; Bye, Bye Birdie - Mae Peterson, Damn Yankees - Sister and Man of La Mancha – Housekeeper, Goodspeed Opera House, Nine, Papermill Playhouse

I’m paying jobs: Varla Jean Merman is The Bad Seedling - Christine (Lead) Tweed Prods.; Blood Orgy of the Carnival Queens; The Club – Bertie; Cabaret and one person shows: Jackie Hoffman & Kristine Zbornik Joe’s Pub; Holiday Hams Lead; Blow Up World; Ball of Confusion; Serving Mankind; Zbornik In A Trunk. The love of my life is Jesus; he’s a really great kisser.

Salon Spotlight: Kenneth Gartman: Classically trained, Kenneth began his professional singing career with the Ft. Worth Opera Company and Texas Gilbert & Sullivan Company. He has worked at various regional theatres throughout the country and toured the USA in the Broadway National Tour of Meredith Willson's The Music Man. Kenneth has also performed internationally on a Live BBC Broadcast of Simply Sondheim as a part of the Opera Ireland Fringe Festival in Northern Ireland and throughout Ireland in A New York Songbook: Way Off Broadway with Music Theatre Ireland. Gartman is a proud member of AEA. Kenneth has appeared as a soloist in several of the country's finest concert halls including Carnegie Hall.

Kenneth is a 2016 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs) Award Nominee for Best Duo and a 2012 New York BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award Nominee for Best Male Debut.

Some favorite roles include: Jinx (Forever Plaid), Bishop of Basingstoke (Jekyll & Hyde), Luther Billis (South Pacific), Noah Curry (110 In The Shade), Paul (Company), Ralph Rackstraw (HMS Pinafore), Frederic (Pirates Of Penzance), Mr. Owen (Postcard from Morocco), Max (Lend Me A Tenor), and himself in the reviews Tom Foolery and Side By Side By Sondheim.

He also runs the Magnolia Room in Norwalk, CT. He is looking forward to doing his show both there and in NYC at Don't Tell Mama.

Performers in order of performance:

Kristine Zbornik

Kristine and Tanya Moberly

Laurel Kallen

Jim Speake

Marnie Klar

Madelaine Warren

Elizabeth Collins (spoken word)

Maria Corsaro

Kenneth Gartman

Deb Antori

Jo Jones

Jaye Maynard

Shana Farr

SALON SPOTLIGHT: Kenneth Gartman

Mark Janas in Classical Corner: Autumn Leaves considered as an improv but missing Matthew Martin Ward, as he is playing for a a wedding! (Congrats Carly Ozard! ) into Chopin: A Polonaise was requested by yours truly, and Mark shared a Toscanini story. Gutsy! Indeed and brilliantly played. Mark can play anything. Genius!

BREAK

Kristine Zbornik with much aplomb.

Kristine and Tanya Moberly in "Agony"

Bobbie Horowitz

David Ballard (and encore)

Laurel encore

Jim Speake encore

Shana Farr encore

Jaye Maynard encore

Kristine Zbornik closes

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas and Kenneth Gartman.

Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer: Ruben Olvera, Christopher and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.

Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:

Ongoing Performances:

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.

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

Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm) Shana Farr sings: It's Not Where You Start: The Songbook of Barbara Cook at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Friday Octover 19, (8pm) When in Rome-Kenneth Gartman, 57 Main St, Norwalk CT at The Magnolia Room.

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.

Saturday, October 20, 2018(6:00PM) Elizabeth Collins, in Raised by Gays-and turned out OK! @UnitedSoloFestival, Studio Theatre, 410 West 42nd St. New York, New York.

Sunday, October 21, (3pm) When in Rome-Kenneth Gartman, 57 Main St, Norwalk CT at The Magnolia Room.

Monday, October 22, 2018 (7pm) Madelaine Warren in: Mad for Romance at Don't Tell Mama 345 W 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.

Sunday, October 28, 2018 (3:30pm) Madelaine Warren in: Mad for Romance at Don't Tell Mama 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 4, 2018 (6pm) Madelaine Warren in: Mad for Romance at Don't Tell Mama 345 W 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 (7pm): Maria Corsaro LOVE, It's Complicated at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 10 (4pm): Maria Corsaro LOVE, It's Complicated 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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 (7pm) Shana Farr sings: It's Not Where You Start: The Songbook of Barbara Cook at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (7pm) Madelaine Warren in: Mad for Romance at Don't Tell Mama 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 16 (7pm): Maria Corsaro sings in: LOVE, It's Complicated 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 and as a soloist) a part of"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" as part of "Winter Rhythms" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th 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! October 14th, 2018:

Theme: Make Them Hear You
Co-Host: Aaron Lee Battle
Salon Spotlight: Madelaine Warren

-Jaye Maynard
Guest Bloggette for The Salon

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 30, 2018: "It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish"

From Chicago, from an incredible musical family and with three solo shows under her belt, a trained dancer from the Martha Graham company, our Co-Host was Off-Broadway performer Judi Mark! Dressed in a black dress and heels, Judi saucily started the evening out by singing "And All That Jazz" with fun and quirky accompaniment, complete with her signature dancing around the stage and against the piano! Then for Act II she swung into the cheeky "Goody Goody!" After taking a swig of the drink on her table, she wistfully went into "Vodka" by Hammerstein, Gershwin and Harbaugh, explaining how this particular alcohol makes her feel "odd-ka." She then warned us further with the classic "I'll Be Hard to Handle" by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Bernard Dougall, then swung into Cole Porter's sizzling "Too Darn Hot." She then took a moment with Tanya Moberly to sing the wonderfully vicious and wry "Bosom Buddies" from Mame. To end the evening, Judy belted out the very theme of the evening: "It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish" by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields from the musical Seesaw.

Judi Mark

Judi is Producer of Radio Host and Comedian George Bettinger’s Memorial and fund raiser, taking place October 17th at a private event at The Friars Club. At his last public performance, George opened for Judi's show before he passed away. This is a closed event, but a Memorial Fundraiser is open to the public and is scheduled in Ft. Lauderdale on January 10. You can also donate via the GoFundMe campaign online.
Also, Tanya had a great update for all of us: she will be helping Sidney Meyer as a co-Booking Manager for Don't Tell Mama, so she will be a contact point for future shows going forward!

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

For the Classical Corner this week, Mark first called friend-of-the-Salon Len Cariou so we could all wish him a "Happy Birthday," then went into a bit of the familiar-to-the-Salon Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin - which begins and ends with the same refrain! Gershwin went into classical works and infused them with jazz and 4 days ago was his 120th Birthday so we honored him in this week's Classical Corner. George wanted to study in France and auditioned for Nadia Boulanger, but was rejected; she was afraid that teaching him classical style would ruin his Jazz! He also auditioned and was rejectied by Ravel - "Why be a second-class Ravel if you could be a first-class Gershwin?" Ravel told him, knowing that Gershwin was the highest-paid composer of all time - in fact, Ravel felt like he should study with Gershwin! Mark then introduced a 1926/27 Gershwin piece - 3 Piano Preludes, all infused with jazz. Gershwin wrote five, but these three have been played by pianists in recitals and concert halls as a featured trio ever since the late 20s. The first one is marked at a ridiculous tempo of quarter note having 100 beats, which is almost impossible to hear the individual harmonies (Mark played it half tempo for our benefit). The First Prelude has incredible rhythmic drive, that it has to almost be played drummer-esque. The Second Prelude is slow and more of a Sonata, has a section where you can reverse the hands as an option! Mark said he'd experiment with switching, as his right hand "sings" better than his left hand (to me, it sounded very much like a Bernstein/On The Town ballet piece!). The Third Prelude is "just nuts," in Mark's words, as it is another rhythm ride; the last 8 bars are insane, and he warned us that he may miss a couple of notes. It was indeed a "ball-buster" of notes and rhythmic trickery!

You can watch a video of Krystian Zimerman play these via YouTube to take a listen.

Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight was no stranger to Salon, two-time Bistro Award Winner and Hansen Award Winner, Amy Beth Williams! With a few rumbling opening chords on the piano from Music Director Ian Herman, Amy Beth burst onstage with a brow-raising rendition of "I Love to Hate Myself in the Morning" which melded into "Alright OK" and then seamlessly into "And This is My Beloved," showing off her silvery and powerful soprano. She then segued into the hilariously biting "I Told Ya, I Love Ya." Charming and effervescent onstage, Amy then sang the poignant "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" with effected soulful soprano. Then Ian and she swung into a peppy "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart," in which Ian was able to show of his superb instrumental break Ragtime-style piano stylings. With this selection of her upcoming show, Amy Beth was knocking out some Great tunes by some Great singers! In fact...

Amy Beth Williams, with Ian Herman as Music Director and Directed by Tanya Moberly, will show off all her vocal stylings in new show "Great Ladies Great Songs" on Friday October 26th, November 17th, November 30th, and December 10th, all at 7:00pm at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Amy Beth Williams

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: Judi Mark
Barb Malley
Bobbie Horowitz (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Rian Keating
Jonathan Kuhn
Hillary Rollins
Michele Herman (spoken word)
Frances O'Flynn (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Sally Darling (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self at the piano)

Annie Lebeaux (self at piano)

Sierra Rein
Jaye Maynard

Salon Spotlight: Amy Beth Williams (Ian Herman at the piano)

Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Judi Mark
Tanya Moberly and Judi Mark
Charlotte Libov
David Ballard

Encores:
Rian Keating
Jonathan Kuhn
Hillary Rollins
Michele Herman
Bobbie Horowitz (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Frances O'Flynn (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Sally Darling (Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self at the piano)
Co-Host: Judi Mark

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Annie Lebeaux, Ian Herman, and Matthew Martin Ward. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, our videographer Joe Pena (we will miss him as he heads to Los Angeles! Tell your film friends!) and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.

Upcoming performances by guests of this evening's Salon:

Ongoing Performances:

Upcoming Shows:

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.

Saturday, October 6, 2018 (4:00pm): Rian Keating performs "Sentimental Melancholia" at Don't Tell Mama, *no cover!*, 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.

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," 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, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "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 "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" 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.

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) a part of"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" as part of "Winter Rhythms" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th 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! October 7th, 2018:

Theme for next week will be "Fall"! So fall in love, fall out of love, Fall to Winter, anything that fits or falls out of the Theme is welcome! Our Co-Host will be Broadway, National Tour, and Regional Theater star actress Kristine Zbornik! And our Salon Spotlight will be pianist, singer and musical director Kenneth Gartman.

-Sierra Rein
Bloggette for The Salon
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