Ari started with "Something's Coming" from West Side Story, written by Lenard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, with a beautiful lyric tenor voice and honest lyric interpretation. For his mid-show set, he introduced the concept of his new show celebrating Jewish Broadway writers and creators over the years. Ari's parents played 70s music in the car all the way to and from family get-togethers, and that is how he fell in love with Jewish singer-songwriter Carole King (who, amongst other rock and roll writers, eventually brought their work to Broadway). He sang King's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" - and "so sweetly" he did it! Any time Ari sings, he says, he is honoring those who risked a lot to come here to NYC and create a place where they could belong, including those performers and composers of Jewish heritage. He then sang British composer Daniel Cainer's "God Knows Where," a gorgeous song about being connected to those who were once coming from somewhere to land in locations unknown. Ari then revealed that 3 1/2 years ago he had brain surgery, making him feel at that time like a milkcarton (with an expiration date). Now, however, he's feeling grateful for the things that life throws his way, and went into a soaring and powerful "Corner Of The Sky" from Pippin. To end the evening, Ari related how he would always have the Sirius Radio in his car turned on to Broadway during his High School years, so the Football team eventually could sing the lyrics with him to Irving Berlin, Sondheim, and Gershwin tunes. He then went into "Music to My Ears" by Michael Feinstein and Aaron Serotsky, a gorgeous testament to the beautiful affect music has on the spirit. Ari sang it with lovely falsetto notes and passion - music to our ears indeed, and a great reminder of all the reasons we do what we do in this musical world!
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| Photo: https://www.birdlandjazz.com/attraction/ari+axelrod/ |
Salon Spotlight:
After KT last time, this week's Salon Spotlight was another stellar Sullivan - Stacy Sullivan, who graces the current cover of Cabaret Scenes Magazine! Stacy is a multiple MAC and Bistro Award Winner, who has multiple albums - her upcoming Carnegie Hall performance on Thursday, January 24th is in conjunction with her seventh album, "Tornado Alley." She began with what I consider one of the most gorgeous melodies ever written, "All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern, which was expertly accompanied by Mark Janas. Indeed, one of the reasons Stacy does what she does is to collaborate with other people, and this was no better exemplified than by her next song. During rehearsals, Mark was playing through her next song, "Lullaby of Birdland" by George Shearing and George David Weiss, and said "I hear Mozart." He then added gorgeous Mozart-music-infused backup to this classic jazz song, and it was wonderful to listen to Stacy's cool and smooth vocals bouncing through the classical accompaniment. Taking advantage of The Salon's forgiving nature, Stacy then flawlessly sang the free-flowing but strong-willed "Confound Me" by Renee Rosnes and David Hadju for the first time in front of an audience. To end her set, she reminded us of how big a fan she is of Peggy Lee and then performed "Johnny Guitar," this time in a melodious, dark and brooding key of F#minor, showing off Stacy's fluid lyric interpretations and flawless voice.
Stacy Sullivan's show “Tornado Alley” can be seen at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall this Thursday, January 24th at 8:00pm, with Troy Fannin on guitar, Matthew Watanabe on piano, Jamie Mohamdein on bass, Bobbie L Crow III on cello, and Gökçe Erem on violin.
After KT last time, this week's Salon Spotlight was another stellar Sullivan - Stacy Sullivan, who graces the current cover of Cabaret Scenes Magazine! Stacy is a multiple MAC and Bistro Award Winner, who has multiple albums - her upcoming Carnegie Hall performance on Thursday, January 24th is in conjunction with her seventh album, "Tornado Alley." She began with what I consider one of the most gorgeous melodies ever written, "All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern, which was expertly accompanied by Mark Janas. Indeed, one of the reasons Stacy does what she does is to collaborate with other people, and this was no better exemplified than by her next song. During rehearsals, Mark was playing through her next song, "Lullaby of Birdland" by George Shearing and George David Weiss, and said "I hear Mozart." He then added gorgeous Mozart-music-infused backup to this classic jazz song, and it was wonderful to listen to Stacy's cool and smooth vocals bouncing through the classical accompaniment. Taking advantage of The Salon's forgiving nature, Stacy then flawlessly sang the free-flowing but strong-willed "Confound Me" by Renee Rosnes and David Hadju for the first time in front of an audience. To end her set, she reminded us of how big a fan she is of Peggy Lee and then performed "Johnny Guitar," this time in a melodious, dark and brooding key of F#minor, showing off Stacy's fluid lyric interpretations and flawless voice.
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| Photo: Facebook |
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
We had a slightly different Classical Corner, as things sometimes conspire to work in the right direction. Mark was supposed to have a cellist today, but the cellist called last week and said he couldn't make it. It happened to be the day Carol Channing -- a definite "classic" -- passed away, so Mark called in Channing's friend and longtime impersonator Richard Skipper to bring Carol's memory to light. He started up with the nostalgic "Looking Back," one of Channing's song in the Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jule Styne musical Lorelei. Richard certainly does a lot of what he does because of Carol, and regaled us with stories about her, complete with photographs of the two of them together. Growing up, both liked to do impressions: him of her, and Carol of the many Theater students in the school she was with. He went into a bit of her history in the early New York scene - how she was fired from eating all of the blueberries in the bakery she was working at, and how she traveled eventually from NYC to SF to LA in 1946, and how she claimed to do a "Uta Hagen" impersonation and took off her shoes in an audition for Gower Champion. He then spoke of how he performed for Channing as Carol for the first time: he was was invited (as Carol Channing) to hobnob in character in a Jerry Herman tribute show's afterparty. Channing herself was there, and she asked "Carol" "Where did you learn to do this?!" - the love was real from then on, and Channing asked where and when she could see Richard's show of her. "Carol"'s answer was "In 10 minutes, upstairs." Channing then stood and announced to the afterparty patrons "In 10 minutes we're going upstairs to see Carol Channing," and a beautiful friendship was born. This month, the world lost an icon, but Richard lost a lifetime friend. Coincidentally, Hello, Dolly! opened 55 years ago this week, so Richard heartbreakingly performed the last monologue and song of Act One "Before the Parade Passes By," invoking Carol herself with heart and gusto.
We had a slightly different Classical Corner, as things sometimes conspire to work in the right direction. Mark was supposed to have a cellist today, but the cellist called last week and said he couldn't make it. It happened to be the day Carol Channing -- a definite "classic" -- passed away, so Mark called in Channing's friend and longtime impersonator Richard Skipper to bring Carol's memory to light. He started up with the nostalgic "Looking Back," one of Channing's song in the Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jule Styne musical Lorelei. Richard certainly does a lot of what he does because of Carol, and regaled us with stories about her, complete with photographs of the two of them together. Growing up, both liked to do impressions: him of her, and Carol of the many Theater students in the school she was with. He went into a bit of her history in the early New York scene - how she was fired from eating all of the blueberries in the bakery she was working at, and how she traveled eventually from NYC to SF to LA in 1946, and how she claimed to do a "Uta Hagen" impersonation and took off her shoes in an audition for Gower Champion. He then spoke of how he performed for Channing as Carol for the first time: he was was invited (as Carol Channing) to hobnob in character in a Jerry Herman tribute show's afterparty. Channing herself was there, and she asked "Carol" "Where did you learn to do this?!" - the love was real from then on, and Channing asked where and when she could see Richard's show of her. "Carol"'s answer was "In 10 minutes, upstairs." Channing then stood and announced to the afterparty patrons "In 10 minutes we're going upstairs to see Carol Channing," and a beautiful friendship was born. This month, the world lost an icon, but Richard lost a lifetime friend. Coincidentally, Hello, Dolly! opened 55 years ago this week, so Richard heartbreakingly performed the last monologue and song of Act One "Before the Parade Passes By," invoking Carol herself with heart and gusto.
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| Richard Skipper and Carol Channing |
On Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 1pm, Richard Skipper Celebrates in "Love, Aquarian Style" with Meg Flather, Lina Koutrakos, Rosemary Loar, Karen Mack, Stacy Sullivan under the Musical Direction of Chjristine Talbott with Kacey Fassett on sax, and Adi Myerson on bass, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
Richard has also been very vocal over the years to get Carol Channing a Kennedy Center Award, a project which he has now transformed into a Posthumous Kennedy Center Award - support him and his work via Facebook.
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| Photo: RichardSkipper.com |
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: Ari Axelrod
Deborah Zecher
Joanne Halev
Dorian Woodruff
Michael Colby
Tim Cahill (with Jim Harder at the piano)
Gracie Lee Brown (with Thomas Hodges at the piano)
Jory Murphy (with Thomas Hodges at the piano)
Thomas Hodges (self at piano)
Madelaine Warren
Betsyann Faiella
Amy Beth Williams
Sierra Rein
Marnie Klar
Salon Spotlight: Stacy Sullivan
Classical Corner: Richard Skipper
BREAK
Co-Host: Ari Axelrod
Tanya Moberly
David Ballard
Ashlyn Combs
Maya Ben-Meir
Berend
Ann Dawson
Angela Leone (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Christopher Whipple (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Co-Host: Ari Axelrod
Special thanks to musicians Mark Janas, Jim Harder, Thomas Hodges, Bill Zeffiro, Steve Bustamante, and Matthew Martin Ward. And then thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, and the astounding waitstaff and management - Joshua, Bryan and Leo - at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, thanks to Steve Bustamante as videographer for the evening!
Ongoing Shows:
Bill Zeffiro at La Rivista Mondays and Wednesdays with Marissa Mulder, 8pm
Upcoming Shows:
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Amy Beth Williams: Great Ladies, Great Songs" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (7pm): Christopher Whipple and "bad news bear" music director Bill Zeffiro in "F@&k it, Yes: a quest for irresponsible responsibility" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (8pm): Stacy Sullivan in “Tornado Alley” with Troy Fannin on guitar, Matthew Watanabe on piano, Jamie Mohamdein on bass, Bobbie L Crow III on cello, and Gökçe Erem on violin, at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Ave, NYC.
Thursday, January 31st, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Friday, February 1st, 2019 (7pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad For Romance" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, February 1st, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 (8pm): Dorian Woodruff's encore performance of "Welcome Home: Everyone Has a Story" at Beach Cafe, 1326 2nd Ave, NYC.
Thursday, February 7, 2019 (9:30pm): Gracie Lee Brown, Jory Murphy, with Thomas Hodges Music Director at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019 (1pm): Richard Skipper Celebrates (with Meg Flather, Lina Koutrakos, Rosemary Loar, Karen Mack, and Stacy Sullivan) under the Musical Direction of Chjristine Talbott with Kacey Fassett on sax, and Adi Myerson on bass, in "Love, Aquarian Style" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019 (6pm): Matthew Martin Ward music directs Sallie Jo Hadley in "Stages of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, February 16, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Jennifer Bangs - She Bangs, She Bangs: Marriage, Adultery, Texas and Jesus" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, March 17, 2019: Bill Zeffiro performs with KT Sullivan - details to come!
Thursday, February 19th, 2019 (7pm): Deborah Zecher in "On Purpose" with Musical Director Tracy Stark at the piano and Director Lennie Watts at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Amy Beth Williams: Great Ladies, Great Songs" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, February 21st, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce" at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Kendra Cunningham - This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein - as part of Marquee Five - performs "Back Porch Swing" with Joe Goodrich on piano and Matt Scharfglass on bass at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (8pm): Steve Bustamante will be a part of Kenneth Gartman's "Sing Your Heart Out" Cabaret Workshop Performance at the Magnolia Room, 57 Main Street, Upstairs, Norwalk, CT.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Jennifer Bangs - She Bangs, She Bangs: Marriage, Adultery, Texas and Jesus" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, March 3rd, 2019 (3pm): Steve Bustamante will be a part of Kenneth Gartman's "Sing Your Heart Out" Cabaret Workshop Performance at the Magnolia Room, 57 Main Street, Upstairs, Norwalk, CT.
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein brings her solo debut show "Running in Place" to a new home at Don't Tell Mama with Bill Zeffiro as Music Director, Matt Scharfglass on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums. James Beaman, Director. Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 (9pm): Gracie Lee Brown presents "Say Goodnight, Gracie" at The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker St, NYC.
Friday, May 31, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein - as part of Marquee Five - performs "8-Track Throwback" with Dan Pardo on piano, Matt Scharfglass on bass, and Rich Huntley on drums, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
NEXT SALON:
There will be NO SALON for the next two weeks! Next Salon will be February 10th, 2019
Our Theme for the evening will be the very interesting "Hellos and Goodbyes" with Co-Host: Jennifer Bangs and Salon Spotlight: Yael Rasooly.
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Email me with quirks and queries
Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Co-Host: Ari Axelrod
Deborah Zecher
Joanne Halev
Dorian Woodruff
Michael Colby
Tim Cahill (with Jim Harder at the piano)
Gracie Lee Brown (with Thomas Hodges at the piano)
Jory Murphy (with Thomas Hodges at the piano)
Thomas Hodges (self at piano)
Madelaine Warren
Betsyann Faiella
Amy Beth Williams
Sierra Rein
Marnie Klar
Salon Spotlight: Stacy Sullivan
Classical Corner: Richard Skipper
BREAK
Co-Host: Ari Axelrod
Tanya Moberly
David Ballard
Ashlyn Combs
Maya Ben-Meir
Berend
Ann Dawson
Angela Leone (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Christopher Whipple (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Co-Host: Ari Axelrod
Special thanks to musicians Mark Janas, Jim Harder, Thomas Hodges, Bill Zeffiro, Steve Bustamante, and Matthew Martin Ward. And then thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, and the astounding waitstaff and management - Joshua, Bryan and Leo - at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, thanks to Steve Bustamante as videographer for the evening!
Ongoing Shows:
Bill Zeffiro at La Rivista Mondays and Wednesdays with Marissa Mulder, 8pm
Upcoming Shows:
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Amy Beth Williams: Great Ladies, Great Songs" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (7pm): Christopher Whipple and "bad news bear" music director Bill Zeffiro in "F@&k it, Yes: a quest for irresponsible responsibility" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 (8pm): Stacy Sullivan in “Tornado Alley” with Troy Fannin on guitar, Matthew Watanabe on piano, Jamie Mohamdein on bass, Bobbie L Crow III on cello, and Gökçe Erem on violin, at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Ave, NYC.
Thursday, January 31st, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Friday, February 1st, 2019 (7pm): Madelaine Warren in "Mad For Romance" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, February 1st, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 (8pm): Dorian Woodruff's encore performance of "Welcome Home: Everyone Has a Story" at Beach Cafe, 1326 2nd Ave, NYC.
Thursday, February 7, 2019 (9:30pm): Gracie Lee Brown, Jory Murphy, with Thomas Hodges Music Director at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019 (1pm): Richard Skipper Celebrates (with Meg Flather, Lina Koutrakos, Rosemary Loar, Karen Mack, and Stacy Sullivan) under the Musical Direction of Chjristine Talbott with Kacey Fassett on sax, and Adi Myerson on bass, in "Love, Aquarian Style" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019 (6pm): Matthew Martin Ward music directs Sallie Jo Hadley in "Stages of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, February 16, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Jennifer Bangs - She Bangs, She Bangs: Marriage, Adultery, Texas and Jesus" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, March 17, 2019: Bill Zeffiro performs with KT Sullivan - details to come!
Thursday, February 19th, 2019 (7pm): Deborah Zecher in "On Purpose" with Musical Director Tracy Stark at the piano and Director Lennie Watts at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Amy Beth Williams: Great Ladies, Great Songs" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, February 21st, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce" at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Kendra Cunningham - This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein - as part of Marquee Five - performs "Back Porch Swing" with Joe Goodrich on piano and Matt Scharfglass on bass at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (8pm): Steve Bustamante will be a part of Kenneth Gartman's "Sing Your Heart Out" Cabaret Workshop Performance at the Magnolia Room, 57 Main Street, Upstairs, Norwalk, CT.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Jennifer Bangs - She Bangs, She Bangs: Marriage, Adultery, Texas and Jesus" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Sunday, March 3rd, 2019 (3pm): Steve Bustamante will be a part of Kenneth Gartman's "Sing Your Heart Out" Cabaret Workshop Performance at the Magnolia Room, 57 Main Street, Upstairs, Norwalk, CT.
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein brings her solo debut show "Running in Place" to a new home at Don't Tell Mama with Bill Zeffiro as Music Director, Matt Scharfglass on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums. James Beaman, Director. Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 (9pm): Gracie Lee Brown presents "Say Goodnight, Gracie" at The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker St, NYC.
Friday, May 31, 2019 (7pm): Sierra Rein - as part of Marquee Five - performs "8-Track Throwback" with Dan Pardo on piano, Matt Scharfglass on bass, and Rich Huntley on drums, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.
NEXT SALON:
There will be NO SALON for the next two weeks! Next Salon will be February 10th, 2019
Our Theme for the evening will be the very interesting "Hellos and Goodbyes" with Co-Host: Jennifer Bangs and Salon Spotlight: Yael Rasooly.
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Email me with quirks and queries
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