Mary Porter’s Southern Nights

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published: October 3, 2026
Reading time:3 mins read

Mary Porter’s Southern Nights

54 Below, NYC, September 15, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Put together a half dozen multi-talented children of the South with the music of songwriters from the same region, and you’ve got yourself an evening full of charm and excitement. What better way to begin than with a tribute to everyone’s favorite Southern belle, Dolly Parton. The audience was even encouraged to participate as Macon Prickett led off with “9 to 5” and “Here You Come Again.” Seth Sikes brought some Broadway to the evening with Roger Miller’s “Waitin’ for the Light to Shine” from the 1985 Broadway musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which he mashed “I Can See It” from Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s The Fantasticks.

The Lady Parton was not the only Dolly being celebrated. Richard Skipper, in a dark blue sequined jacket, truly dazzled with his rendition of “Hello, Dolly!” by Jerry Herman. Skipper, a native of South Carolina, imbued the proceedings with what can only be called innate Southern charm. His fellow countryman Edmund Bagnell worked his own charm with a wistful interpretation of “Always on My Mind” (Wayne Carson/Johnny Christopher/Mark James).

A highlight of the evening was Tony nominee and Grammy winner NaTasha Yvette Williams. Before she performed “Summertime” (George Gershwin/DuBose Hayward/Ira Gershwin), Mary Porter gave insight into the song. She mentioned that Gershwin had visited South Carolina to experience some of the flavor of the South to enhance his understanding of the area as preparation for writing Porgy and Bess. Williams brought a hush to the room, which was broken by the rousing applause she received for her effort. As if that wasn’t enough, Williams joined with Skipper for a welcome medley of the songs of Johnny Mercer, a true son of the South if there ever was one.

Prickett was extraordinary in his delivery of “The Trolley Song” (Hugh Martin), made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. It seemed as though he held that final note longer than the Statue of Liberty has been holding that torch! Simply thrilling!

Porter returned for a medley of Carolina songs, followed by a charming old-fashioned song-and-dance number with Sikes to “Carolina in the Morning” (Walter Donaldson/Gus Kahn), which they seemed enjoy as much as the audience.

An integral part of the Southern experience is church service, and Williams, Porter, and Bagnell delivered an unforgettable version of the Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art” (from a traditional Swedish melody, with English lyrics by Stuart K. Hine). It was a perfect way to end the show.

Tags: American Songbook Association, Clubs, Summertime, South Carolina, composer, The Trolley Song, 9 to 5, Seth Sikes, Porgy and Bess, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Always on My Mind, Johnny Christopher, Mark James, Wayne Carson, DuBose Hayward, I Can See It, Cabaret Reviews, ASA, Hello Dolly!, Macon Prickett, Statue of Liberty, Here You Come Again, Jacqueline Parker, How Great Thou Art, Carolina in the Morning, Mary Porter's Southern Nights, Waitin' for the Light to Shine, Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mary Porter, Stuart K. Hine, Walter Donaldson, Cabaret Scenes, 54 Below, Judy Garland, Broadway, Cabaret, Broadway Musicals, Roger Miller, Dolly Parton, Johnny Mercer, The Fantasticks, Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt, George Gershwin, Gus Kahn, Reviews, CD, Meet Me in St. Louis, NYC, Richard Skipper, Lyricist, Hugh Martin, Edmund Bagnell, American Songbook, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.