Inkwell Singers: Into the Gap: Songs of Protest and Hope

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Inkwell Singers

Into the Gap: Songs of Protest and Hope

Don’t Tell Mama, NYC, April 24, 2025

Reviewed by Bart Greenberg

Inkwell Singers

The Inkwell Singers consist of the two very talented vocalists, Matthew Schemerhorn and Andy Rice, along with their special guests Kara and Daniela Masciangelo; together they offered an evening of songs of protest and hope. The program was highly political without any political rhetoric: even though no specific individuals were named, the artists’ viewpoint was clear given their compassion and inclusiveness for all. With versatile support from music director David Shenton (on piano and violin) and Matt Scharfglass on guitar and bass, the show was a treat for the ears as well as the heart.

All the participants blasted off with a number that was loud and emotional and filled with both protest and hope: “The Gap” by the Thompson Twins. All these elements were explored more fully throughout the show. Songs were wisely grouped around themes, such as a block of contrasting songs about childhood, including “Russians” written by Sting in 1985 and unfortunately just as timely today. Here it was presented with a gorgeous violin introduction and a fine vocal solo by Rice. This was followed by a slow, simple version of the powerful “Carefully Taught” (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II) performed by the two men and a far more upbeat, country-flavored “Teach Your Children” (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) for the quartet. Combining these three numbers was smart cabaret.

Folk music took over for the next four selections with a great four-part vocal arrangement for the classic “If I Had a Hammer” (Peter, Paul & Mary) and a dandy a cappella “The Fiddle and the Drum” (Joni Mitchell) delivered by Rice. The guys offered “The Sounds of Silence” (Simon & Garfunkel) with, pardon the pun, the perfect sound. Later, the women took the stage for a fine version of “What We Wanna Be” (Indigo Girls). Schermerhorn paired two quite different songs to comment on the progress that has been made in marriage equality: a bluesy “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” (George & Ira Gershwin) and a far more upbeat “That’s Life” (Dean Kay/Kelly Gordon). Once more, hope was asserted. This fine show balanced darkness and light climaxed with an a cappella and moving “America the Beautiful” (Samuel A. Ward/Katherine Lee Bates) that brought tears to more than one audience member.

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Bart Greenberg

Bart Greenberg first discovered cabaret a few weeks after arriving in New York City by seeing Julie Wilson and William Roy performing Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter outdoors at Rockefeller Center. It was instant love for both Ms. Wilson and the art form. Some years later, he was given the opportunity to create his own series of cabaret shows while working at Tower Records. "Any Wednesday" was born, a weekly half-hour performance by a singer promoting a new CD release. Ann Hampton Callaway launched the series. When Tower shut down, Bart was lucky to move the program across the street to Barnes & Noble, where it thrived under the generous support of the company. The series received both The MAC Board of Directors Award and The Bistro Award. Some of the performers who took part in "Any Wednesday" include Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock, Tony Desare, Andrea Marcovicci, Carole Bufford, the Karens, Akers, Mason and Oberlin, and Julie Wilson. Privately, Greenberg is happily married to writer/photographer Mark Wallis, who as a performance artist in his native England gathered a major following as "I Am Cereal Killer."

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