American Popular Song Society: Season Opener

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published: October 28, 2026
Reading time:3 mins read

American Popular Song Society

Season Opener

Grace & St. Paul Lutheran Church, NYC, October 10, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

The first meeting of the American Popular Song Society was held on Saturday, October 10 at its new location in Grace and St. Paul’s Church on West 71st Street. New as well were the recently elected President Michael Lavine and Vice President Tom Toce. Lavine warmly greeted the full house by outlining APSS’ vision for the future, including changes to the website, outreach efforts for younger members, and a sheet music library as part of the website. Toce added his thoughts, which included “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” with musical accompaniment for each.

There was a terrific roundup of talent for the afternoon entertainment, as well as a plentiful nibbles for everyone to enjoy. This afternoon’s focus was on songwriters who had passed, namely John Wallowitch, Francesca Blumenthal, and Dick Gallagher. Eric Michael Gillett introduced Blumenthal’s work with “Queens”; her wry wit was at its peak in this lyric. Ann Kittredge sang “Firemen Shopping,” another clever tune with a lyric reminiscent of Cole Porter in its code-bending nature. A peek at the serious side of Blumenthal was expertly provided by Diane Findlay with “The Lies of Handsome Men,” a classic song that reveals melancholic emotion in a most penetrating way. Kittredge returned with “Christmas in New York,” which uniquely and playfully expressed what it’s like for us natives every December.

Jon Peterson breathed new life into a Wallowitch classic, the comedic “27” and even garnished it with a bit of tap dancing at the end. Cabaret master Steve Ross, who was a friend of Wallowitch, certainly did right by his fellow composer with his signature song “This Moment.” Ross brought out every emotional quiver in the simple yet profound lyric as only he can. Findlay returned with a song that was quintessentially Wallowitch, “Bruce,” which was an imaginary letter from that doyenne of fashion from the previous century (Diana Vreeland) to a drag queen. Having this performed by a female singer added a touch of new spice to a number Wallowitch fans know so well.

Mark Waldrop was the captain of the Dick Gallagher portion of the show. He led off with a song he wrote with him, “Stuck on You,” an offering similar to a Porter list song. Waldrop was accompanied by singers Ethan Mathias and Kosta Stoychev. Waldrop spoke about Gallagher personally and professionally, which made one wish all the more that he was still with us. A highlight was George Dvorsky’s delivery of “Blue Flame” from the 1995 Off-Broadway show Whoop-Dee-Doo. His rich baritone added texture to the lyric and was unforgettable. John Treacy Egan gave the audience its last laugh of the afternoon with “Bigger Is Better.” Waldrop ended the program with “Laughing Matters, ” a number that expresses a poignant irony in these times.

These songs are rarely performed except in rarified cabaret settings, but they deserve to be heard by a wider audience. Hats off to APSS for shining a spotlight on them once again.

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.