He has done and won and sung everything, and he runs this joint - Sidney Myer, with Tracy Stark at the piano, was Co-Host of the evening. He started out with the cleverly romantic yet quite cheeky "Cream in My Coffee" with the adjusted lyric "...now that Salon's at Mama's Tanya's dream has come true." He returned after the intermission to take the helm and, again with Tracy on the piano, began telling us: "when facing disappointment, you don't escape from life, you escape into life" then going into the ebulliently funny and wit-filled "Between Men." After raucous applause, he sang the lovely reminder to slow down; the ballad "Dance With Me," from the musical Midnight at the Never Get, which started its journey on the Don't Tell Mama stage to the performances in NYMF and the Bistro Awards. Tracy hit a lovely flowery chord, and allowed Sidney to take the stage...and boy he took it! Sauntering, jumping, and hip-thrusting hilariously all over the stage - claiming he'll take anything, as long as you got "Pheromones." To close the evening, Sidney hit us with some raucous "Good Advice," from Model T to Guggenheim.
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| Sidney Myer (photo: theaterpizzazz.com) |
Salon Spotlight:
Broadway Veteran, Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, and Cabaret icon KT Sullivan was our Salon Spotlight, presenting pieces from her upcoming show; a tribute to Broadway legend-come-Cabaret-Star Barbara Cook and her specific relation to music director and arranger Wally Harper, "I Can Cook: When Barbara Met Wally." KT admitted that in 1981, when someone suggested she go into Cabaret and listen a Barbara Cook's album for inspiration, KT's very first show contained 5 songs from Barbara's repertoire, so attached she became to Cook. After all, as a soprano in Los Angeles, KT was not aware that high voices could be welcome on Cabaret stages. Cook's inspiration changed her mind, and KT's rise in Cabaret was born after doing a year of midnight Friday performances in Los Angeles. For the Spotlight, KT had the quick-fingered, long-haired Jon Weber at the piano, and first waltzed into "Wait Til You See Him," providing us a romantic rich voice with a high soprano ending. She then did a sultry yet wink-filled "I Love a Piano," quirkily having fun with the "I'd love to meddle..." lyric and opened it up to Jon "long-haired genius" Weber to show off his dexterity on the 88s. To close her spot, KT then showed off how she can musically cook hot and jazzy - but still be funny as hell - with a spitfire rendition of "I Can Cook Too" from On the Town.
"I Can Cook: When Barbara Met Wally" will be presented at the Birdland Theater from February 27th thru March 2nd, 7pm each day - Wednesday thru Saturday. Eric Michael Gillett is her Director, with Jon Weber as music director. Birdland Theater: 315 W. 44th Street, NYC. Tickets can be purchased here.
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| KT Sullivan (photo: www.ktsullivan.com) |
For Classical Corner, Mark indeed went back Home by briefly speaking about the elemental connection between Salon and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." It is the piece that opens up any new venue for The Salon, ever since the grand piano was moved from the Oak Room into the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel years and years ago. Back 11 years ago, Mark played "Rhapsody" from memory after a rehearsal, and the maitre d' came over and told him "you can do this every time you're here" and Salon was born as more and more people came to sing. As Mark said about "Rhapsody": "You spend your whole life learning this piece, and so I'm still working on it." He then hit the Don't Tell Mama piano with such beautiful passion and flowing love for the piece, it sounded gorgeous, and he got a massive standing ovation for his work.
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: Sidney Myer (with Tracy Stark at the piano)
Deborah Stone
Marnie Klar
Ann Kittredge
Robin Westle
Mary Sue Daniels
Renee and Gregory Toroian (with Gregory at the piano)
Katie Neiheisel (with Gregory Toroian at the piano)
Joey Infante and Mike McDonald (with Mike McDonald at the piano)
Raissa Katona Bennet and Linda Kahm (with Kenneth Gartman at the piano)
Kenneth Gartman (self at piano)
Sierra Rein
Candace Oden
Salon Spotlight: KT Sullivan (with Jon Weber at the piano)
Classical Corner: Mark Janas
BREAK
Co-Host: Sidney Myer (with Tracy Stark at the piano)
Tanya Moberly
Maureen Taylor
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Bob Diamond (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Ann Talman
Debbee May (with Dan Furman at piano)
The Elegant Ivory Duo - John and Ivy Todras (with John Todras on piano)
Linda Rodolitz
Becca Kidwell
Bobbie Horowitz
Barbara Malley
Louisa Lee Poster
Richard Eisenberg
Angela Leone
Allan Yashin
Joann Sicoli
Laurel KallumDawn Melody
Shari Pine
David Ballard
Tracy Stark (self on piano)
Co-Host: Sidney Myer (with Tracy Stark at the piano)
Special thanks to musicians Mark Janas, Tracy Stark, Dan Furman, John Todras, Mike McDonald, Gregory Toroian, Kenneth Gartman, Jon Weber, and Matthew Martin Ward. And then thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, and the astounding waitstaff and management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, thanks to Steve Bustamante as videographer for the evening!
Ongoing Shows:
Tuesday, January 15th - January 20th: Bob Diamond is working for the Metropolitan Opera!
Upcoming Shows:
Thursday, January 10th, 2019 (8:15pm): 4 Shorts: Films, Part III, hosted by Shana Farr, featuring work by Ann Talman, at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park S, NYC.
Saturday, January 12, 2019 (7pm): Louisa Lee Poster is presenting a repeat performance of "Steppin' Out in High Heels One More Time" with her Tin Pan Alley Trio at The Sidewalk Cafe (no cover, 2 item minimum), 94 Avenue A, NYC. Reservations here.
Sunday, January 13th, 2019 (7pm): Blue Wave Victory performance Produced by Stephen Hanks and with Tracy Stark at the piano, featuring Sierra Rein amongst others, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Monday, January 13th, 2019 (7pm): Blue Wave Victory performance Produced by Stephen Hanks and with Tracy Stark at the piano, featuring Mary Sue Daniels amongst others, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 (3pm): Candice Oden is presenting "B*tch Is Crazy" with The Seeing Place Theater at Paradise Factory, 64 E 4th St, NYC.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 (7 pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Saturday, January 19, 2019 (5pm): Candice Oden is presenting "B*tch Is Crazy" with The Seeing Place Theater at Paradise Factory, 64 E 4th St, NYC.
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): Debra Stone hosts the open mic at Parnell's, 350 E 53rd Street, 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.
Monday, January 28th, 2019 (7pm): "When in Rome" with Kenneth Gartman - Lennie Watts, Director and Troy Fannin, music director/guitar - at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, 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 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Friday, February 1st, 2019 (7pm): "When in Rome" with Kenneth Gartman - Lennie Watts, Director and Troy Fannin, music director/guitar - at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 (8pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Dan Ruth: A Life Behind Bars" at Carnegie Stage - 25 W. Main St, Carnegie, PA.
Thursday, February 7, 2019 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, February 9th, 2019 (4pm): Becca Kidwell will be a "Fangirl" along with Tracy Stark in her solo show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, February 10th, 2019 (3pm): Don't Tell Mama's Next Big Act, Lynda Rodolitz, in "Animal Magnetism" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 (7pm): Don't Tell Mama's Next Big Act, Lynda Rodolitz, in "Animal Magnetism" 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.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Kendra Cunningham - This Could Be You" 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.
Sunday, February 24th, 2019 (3pm): Don't Tell Mama's Next Big Act, Lynda Rodolitz, in "Animal Magnetism" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, February 13th, 2019 (7pm): Don't Tell Mama's Next Big Act, Lynda Rodolitz, in "Animal Magnetism" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2019 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Amy Beth Williams: Great Ladies, Great Songs" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Friday, March 1st, 2019 (7pm): Becca Kidwell will be a "Fangirl" along with Tracy Stark in her solo show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, 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 (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.
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.
Monday, March 11th, 2019 (7pm): "When in Rome" with Kenneth Gartman - Lennie Watts, Director and Troy Fannin, music director/guitar - at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th St, NYC.
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019: Ann Kittredge in "Fancy Meeting You Here: The Music of Ahrens and Flaherty," directed by Andrea Marcovicci, at 54 Below, 254 W 54th 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.
Tuesday, June 4th, 2019: Joey Infante with music director Ian Herman, at The Triad, 158 W 72nd Street, NYC
NEXT SALON:
There will be NO SALON on January 13th! Next Salon will be Sunday, January 20th, with the theme of "Why We Do What We Do." Come bring your particular answers to this query, and join Co-Host Ari Axelrod (who is making his debut at Birdland on the 21st), along with Salon Spotlight Stacy Sullivan, renown Cabaret and recording artist!
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
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