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!
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:
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 |
Bloggette for The Salon
Let me know if I missed something via email
No comments:
Post a Comment