Nightlife, Bistro and MAC Award winning artist Gretchen Reinhagen and her all-girl band, led by Musical Director Tracy Stark, return to Don't Tell Mama (www.donttellmamanyc.com) in October with "Gretchen Sings Janis Joplin's Pearl." Performances are scheduled for Sunday, October 24th at 6:00PM; Tuesday, October 26th at 7:00PM; and Thursday, November 4th at 7:00PM. Barry Kleinbort directs.
"Gretchen Sings Janis Joplin's Pearl" was originally created as part of the award winning "Under the Covers" series this past March, produced by Lennie Watts. Artists in the series were asked to choose their favorite album and cover it, start to finish. In choosing Pearl, Gretchen recreates the iconic final album of legendary blues rocker Janis Joplin, exploring not only the rock side of the album with songs like "Move Over" and "Half Moon," but also the quieter moments with songs like "A Woman Left Lonely" and "Trust Me." In addition, she explores moments from Janis Joplin's life; the last of which were spent recording this album. Joplin did not live to see Pearl released in early 1971, which became the biggest selling album of her career, and produced her only #1 hit, "Me and Bobby McGee." Joining Gretchen will be Musical Director Tracy Stark at the piano, Lisa Brigantino on bass and guitar, and drummer Donna Kelly.
Gretchen Reinhagen received the coveted "triple crown" of cabaret awards by winning the 2010 Nightlife Award, Bistro Award and MAC Award for her show "Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard" also directed by Barry Kleinbort. Her cabaret work has covered a broad range of material including a show of Great American Songbook classics entitled "Back to Basics"; a blues/rock show, "Almost Blue", which featured an all female five piece band; and a comic turn in "How ‘Bout Them Apples". Columnist and critic Roy Sander said "Gretchen Reinhagen's shows are marked by intelligence, warmth, a lovely spirit of benevolence, and fine vocals. It is always a pleasure to spend an hour in her company."
"Gretchen Sings Janis Joplin's Pearl" runs at Don't Tell Mama (www.donttellmamanyc.com; 343 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036; 212-757-0788) Sunday, October 24th at 6:00PM; Tuesday, October 26th at 7:00PM; and Thursday, November 4th at 7:00PM. There is a $20 cover charge and 2 drink minimum ($5 discount on the cover charge for members of MAC or Cabaret Hotline Online). CASH ONLY. For more information, visit www.gretchenreinhagen.com.
