Richard Skipper
Cabaret Scenes’s Man About Cabaret
April 2015
Wow! It feels like yesterday that I wrote my first column for Cabaret Scenes and here we are with the passing of another month. They aren’t kidding when they refer to March as Cabaret Month.
The month began with me seeing the delightful Donna Hayes at the Metropolitan Room. What a delightful evening celebrating “Ordinary” Miracles. The quotation marks are mine. There is nothing ordinary about this show!
https://firstcanadianpharm.com/wp-content/languages/new/propecia.html
I loved it. Kudos to director Gretchen Reinhagen, percussionist Donna Kelly, bassist (it’s all about that bass!) Matt Scharfglass and Musical Director Justin Stoney. It was great to sit with Billie Roe and her beautiful partner. Great night! Donna’s next show is Friday, May 22. Don’t miss her!
Earlier last month, I was lucky enough to be asked by Sherry Eaker to conduct the Red Carpet interviews at the 30th Annual Bistro Awards. I think I had the greatest job of the night. Not only did I get the opportunity to chat with most of the attendees from both sides of the footlights, I got the chance to enjoy one of the greatest shows I have seen in a long time. I always love the Bistro Awards because we already know the winners AND not only do we celebrate their wins, but they ALL perform.
https://firstcanadianpharm.com/wp-content/languages/new/veklury.html
I don’t know when I have been in a room with so much talent.
As if that weren’t enough, the month ended with me presenting, along with Julie Budd, at this year’s MAC Awards. It was my first time back at the MAC Awards in five years. Hey, life sometimes gets in the way!
https://firstcanadianpharm.com/wp-content/languages/new/prednisone.html
It felt like no time had passed at all. Thank you, Lennie Watts, for a great night. Congratulations to all of the nominees. Even if your names were not called ultimately, you are all winners. I’m looking forward to what the next twelve months have in store, but first, its April…
Look at what April has in store…
Last year, Kevin Dozier premiered a new act, A New York Romance, which quickly sold out. I LOVED IT! So they are bringing it back at the beautiful (and affordable!) Metropolitan Room: Wednesday, April 8 at 7 pm.
Second & fourth Sundays, from 12 noon to 2:30 pm (sign-up 11:30 am), there’s Open Mic at The Met. The Metropolitan Room has a long history of providing a stage for new performers who go on to become some of the region’s most loved artists. It’s also known for providing thousands of talented singers and entertainers a stage to keep the art alive and growing for all to enjoy. Presented and hosted by well-known artists/producers Susan Winter and Deb Berman, Open Mic at The Met is an important part of the tradition.
MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist Carolyn Montgomery-Forant has returned to the New York City stage. In her first solo show in eight years, Visible Phoenix, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd St., underneath The West Bank Cafe), the show is garnering across-the-board critical acclaim. With direction by Eric Michael Gillett, musical direction by Jon Weber (NPR Piano Jazz), a five-piece band and her trio of back-up singers, “The Fine Whine,” Montgomery-Forant is presenting three more shows on April 10, May 8 and June 12, all Fridays at 7:00 pm. This comeback tour de force incorporates music from a wide range of genres and eras, original comedy, and many songs with music and lyrics by Montgomery-Forant herself.
The Legendary Ladies of Music, starring Linda Miller, is Sundays April 5, 19 & 26 @ 4:30 pm at Stage 72 @ The Triad, $20 plus 2 Drink Minimum. www.legendaryladiesofmusic.com
Mary Foster Conklin: Fridays, April 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 8 pm. You’ll find her at Moscow 57 at 168 1/2 Delancey Street, NYC. The Friday night gig also features Ethan Fein on guitar and Benjamin Franklin Brown on bass. http://www.maryfosterconklin.com
See you around town. I’m the one applauding enthusiastically.
