The Cabaret Chronicles: Metrojam, Moonshine Martinis, and Cast Party!
By: Jenna Esposito May. 08, 2009
Happy Friday, everyone! After a week full of gray skies and rain, rain, rain, we're finally looking out at some sunshine and blue skies - hooray!
As usual, I took in some great entertainment over the past week, beginning with Metrojam on Friday, May 1st. Metrojam is the monthly open mic at the Metropolitan Room, and it's always a lot of fun. The house band is comprised of pianist John DiPinto, bassist Ritt Henn, and drummer Bobby Sher, and the three of them do an incredible job of backing the vocalists who step up to the mic. This Metrojam was particularly special, as it was a farewell to host Joe Bachana, who is stepping down from hosting duties after nearly three years. Believe it or not, beginning next month, the host will be none other than yours truly! I'm quite honored to have been asked, and I look forward to bringing you the details from the other side of the mic, so to speak! But back to last Friday! There was terrific amount of talent that showed up to wish Joe well and sing one more song for him - many of the singers that I've seen there over the past few years all made a point to come and show their appreciation. Susan Winter, Deb Berman, Maureen Taylor, Hector Coris, Rob Langeder, Sean Harkness, Karen Oberlin, Miles Phillips, Dawn Derow, Gretchen Reinhagen, Tracy Stark, Sarah Rice, George Stella, Richie Eisenberg and more all got up to perform, and it ended up being one of the best Metrojams I can recall!
On Monday, May 4th, I headed over to Don't Tell Mama to catch Shannon Brown's show, Moonshine Martinis: A 60s & 70s Country Cabaret. I'd heard Shannon do a few numbers from the show at the MAC New Face Showcase a few months ago, and was really excited to be able to catch the show. Shannon did a great job of setting the mood right off the bat by offering a "Moonshine Martini" drink special, which was a delicious concoction of vodka, triple sec, pineapple juice, lime juice, St. Germain, and soda. Looking around the room, it seemed that most of The Audience got into the spirit of things by ordering their own Moonshine Martinis - very fun! The show itself was also highly enjoyable. Including songs made famous by the likes of Barbara Mandrell ("I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool"), Loretta Lynn ("Coal Miner's Daughter," You Ain't Woman Enough," "Dear Uncle Sam" and "You're Lookin' at Country"), and Dolly Parton ("Love Is Like a Butterfly"), and other country greats, Shannon delivered the songs with charm, vivacity, and a warm, clear voice that was perfectly suited to the material! In between songs, she wove in anecdotes about growing up in West Virginia, as well as her transition from "country girl" to "New Yorker." Directed by Ray Hesselink, with accompaniment by Jonathan Segal on piano and Steve Tarshis on guitar, Moonshine Martinis is a breath of fresh air in the cabaret world and makes for a great night out!
After Moonshine Martinis, it was off to another stellar Cast Party at Birdland! Seriously, it was an embarrassment of riches - Broadway superstar Cheyenne Jackson duetted with Ricki Lake (yes, THAT Ricki Lake!); Ann Hampton Callaway delighted the crowd for the second week in a row; "Queen of Cabaret" Andrea Marcovicci made her first-ever Cast Party appearance, singing a John Bucchino song with Mr. Bucchino himself at the piano; the amazing Klea Blackhurst did her best Ethel Merman; stunning jazz vocalist Hilary Kole wowed the crowd, Broadway veterans Brent Barrett and Annaleigh Ashford showed off their chops, and Ray Jessel, one of my FAVORITE singer/songwriters (who had just arrived from L.A. that afternoon!) treated us to a brand new tune! And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Host Jim Caruso was his usual charming, witty self, and, of course, the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth on piano, Steve Doyle on bass and Steve Bakunas on drums) was spectacular!
Where I'm going this week...
Friday, May 8th: Maude Maggart at the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel - I went to see this show on opening night and loved it, so when a friend invited me to accompany him tonight, I happily accepted! I'm looking forward to seeing how it's developed over the past severAl Weeks!
Monday, May 11th: 9:30 - Billy Stritch at the Metropolitan Room. Well-known for accompanying such luminaries as Liza Minnelli and Marilyn Maye, Billy is actually one of my favorite solo entertainers in the city! He's a terrifically talented pianist, and he also has a great voice and a very charming manner onstage. I was there three years ago on the opening night of the Metropolitan Room, when Billy christened the new space with his fantastic Mel Torme show, and I'm very much looking forward to being there for this third anniversary celebration!
After Billy Stritch's show - Cast Party at Birdland! Hosted by Jim Caruso, this fantastic open mic runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. but again, make sure you get there early to sign up if you want to sing!
That's all that's on the agenda for now! Enjoy the weekend and check back next Friday for a new article!
Pictured: Shannon Brown
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