This spring the L.A.-based Joanne Tatham gives New York another whirl as she returns to the Metropolitan Room with her critically acclaimed cabaret concert "Soundtrack New York." Tatham's fast-paced guided tour of songs from films shot on the streets of Manhattan plays four nights -- Tuesday May 13 at 7pm, Saturday May 17 at 4pm, Sunday May 18 at 9:30pm and Sunday June 1 at 7pm.
When it played for four nights at the Café Carlyle in October (as part of their Late Show Series), Woman Around Town's Alix Cohen called "Soundtrack New York" "a smart, wonderfully researched, entertaining show," calling Tatham "classy and accessible... an exceptional artist." When she premiered the show for two nights at the Metropolitan Room last spring, Stephen Hanks, writing in Broadwayworld.com, called Tatham "a compelling singer and engaging cabaret performer with a deep, intimate, sensual and subtle sound."
Three of New York's top music directors twirl Tatham across the musical screen. Tedd Firth does the honors on May 13 and June 1; Mike Renzi is the leading man on May 17, and Billy Stritch co-stars on May 18. Tatham's sidemen are Steve Doyle on bass, Sean Harkness on guitar, and Peter Grant on drums.
"Soundtrack New York" features a veritable skyline of songs from such films as "West Side Story," "Tootsie," "Rosemary's Baby," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" "Funny Girl," "Midnight Cowboy," and "New York, New York." No less than the Gershwins, Kander & Ebb, Marilyn and
Alan Bergman, Bacharach & David, Mancini, Bernstein,
Vernon Duke and
Duke Ellington built this tuneful cityscape. Among the arrangers are Tamir Hendelman (
Barbra Streisand),
Brad Ellis (Glee), and Eli Brueggemann (Saturday Night Live).
A transplanted New Yorker and New Jersey native, Tatham is currently based in L.A. where she performs regularly at Catalina's Jazz Club and The Gardenia. Her husband is the distinguished television writer and producer Chuck Tatham (Arrested Development, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family).
Her West Coast appearances also included The Baked Potato, Vibrato, and San Francisco's Plush Room. A regular guest artist with the Desert Cities Jazz Band, Tatham has been featured at two
Mabel Mercer Cabaret Conventions.
This free-flowing cocktail of Hollywood glamour mixed with the salty observations of a born New Jerseyite is still building her following in her former hometown. Commenting on BistroAwards.com in October, Robert Windeler pointed out that "Tatham is not well-known in New York, but that could change quickly as a result of this satisfying set!" Not well-known in New York, but she knows New York well.
"Soundtrack New York" plays four times at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street -- Tuesday May 13 at 7pm, Saturday May 17 at 4pm, Sunday May 18 at 9:30pm and Sunday June 1 at 7pm. Tatham's music charge is $20. For reservations call
212/206-0440. For more information or to order online visit
www.metropolitanroom.com.
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