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The Cabaret Chronicles: Salon, Cast Party, Rob Langeder and More!
By: Jenna Esposito Apr. 17, 2010
Happy Saturday! Whew, it's been another busy week in NYC nightlife! I started out by going to Salon at Etcetera, Etcetera Restaurant last Sunday evening, which was a great deal of fun! Founded and hosted by Mark Janas, Salon features a guest co-host and a special guest star each week, which always keeps it interesting! This week, the guest co-host was MAC President Lennie Watts, who is one of the most naturally funny people I know. He did a great job of keeping things moving and injecting the evening with the perfect amount of humor. The special guest star was Carole J. Bufford, who has made quite a name for herself in the cabaret community since being named 2nd runner up in last summer's MetroStar Talent Challenge at The Metropolitan Room. She did a terrific 3-song set at Salon, and was accompanied by her talented musical director Nate Buccieri. In addition to Mr. Watts and Ms. Bufford, there were about 30 other talented performers who got up to the mic, including Dani Rhodes and Mary Lahti, both of whom performed hilarious parodies about the MAC Awards; Bill Zeffiro, who treated the crowd to a great original tune, "Better Than Nothing," MAC Award Female Debut nominees Kathleen France and Michelle Collier; and composer Chris Wade and the cast of his original musical, Such Sweet Sorrow. It was a highly entertaining evening, and a great way to start the week!
Monday night, it was off to Birdland for another excellent Cast Party. People always ask me why I go to Cast Party every week, and the answer is that it is simply one of the best ways I can think of to spend an evening. Host Jim Caruso is always charming, engaging, witty, and entertaining, and to my mind, he really sets the standard for hosting. Additionally, he attracts some of the best talent in the world to come and join in the fun! Over the past few years, I've seen Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Linda Lavin, Lucie Arnaz, Marilyn Maye, Klea Blackhurst, Ann Hampton Callaway, and more show up! This past week was another swell party, with talented folks like Aleks Pevek, Charles West, Ray Jessel, Shawn Mahoney, Birdland songbirds William Blake and Caroline Amaradio, and barbershop quartet The Eight Balls all taking the mic! Tedd Firth on piano, Steve Doyle on bass, and Steve Bakunas on drums provided stellar accompaniment throughout the evening, and a great time was had by all!
On Tuesday evening, I headed over to The Metropolitan Room for 2010 MAC Award nominee Rob Langeder's show, "Any Place I Hang My Hat..." for which I had the pleasure of joining in on some backup vocals and a few duets. The show is billed as a "raucous romp through all-time song favorites" and Rob does not disappoint! High energy, entertaining, slightly irreverent at times, and featuring stellar vocals, the show has really been a joy to take part in and Tuesday night was no exception! From the high-octane opening number (a medley of "Go Daddy-O" and "All Of Me," through the rockin' "Jump Jive An' Wail" through the driving title song, "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home," the show is Entertainment with a capital "E!"
Thursday evening found me at the Friars Club for another Café Thursday. Host Stan Gilbert, pianist Marty Silver and drummer Bobby Sher kept things hopping, and the room was simply overflowing with talent! In addition to Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Silver, other entertainers to take the mic included Larry Stevens, Steven Scott and Tom D'Angelo (who helps to produce the event), as well as clarinetist Emory Davis and saxophonist Jackie Michaels, both of whom sat in on most of the songs throughout the evening. The SRO crowd was very enthusiastic, and it was a great way to wind down the week!
Where I'm Going This Week...
TONIGHT - Saturday, April 17th: Maude Maggart at The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel. Cabaret chanteuse Maude Maggart has been delighting audiences all over the country for the past several years, and has recently touched down in NYC for her annual run at the famed Oak Room. She's presenting a brand new show, Three Little Words, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it!
Sunday, April 18th: Salon at Etcetera, Etcetera Restaurant. Founded and hosted by Mark Janas, this Sunday evening open mic is a hot destination for singers and songwriters. Each week features a guest co-host (this week, it's the lovely and talented Janice Hall!) and a special guest star (this week, it's Broadway veteran Sarah Rice)! Salon runs from 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., but make sure to arrive early if you'd like to perform!
Monday, April 19th: 7:00 p.m. - Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis at The Metropolitan Room! Yes, it's my own show, back for a final NYC performance before I take it on the road!
10:00 p.m. - Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland. This fantastic weekly open mic runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. but again, make sure to arrive early to sign up if you want to sing!
Tuesday, April 20th: Will & Anthony Nunziata at Feinstein's at Loews Regency. These young identical twins have taken the cabaret world by storm and are returning to Feinstein's with their new show, From Pelham to Park Avenue, after two sold-out performances last fall. Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and featuring musical director Ben Toth on piano and Jered Egan on bass, this is sure to be a fun evening!
Pictured: Rob Langeder
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