Time Flies When You're A Busy Girl!
Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly 2 weeks since my last post - sorry for the delay!
Let's see, let's see...where to start?
Well, when I last left off, I was headed to see Gypsy on Broadway - and wow, I am so glad I did! What a show! The music alone is enough to make me swoon, but add to that a top-to-bottom stellar cast, accompanied by a FULL orchestra (such a rarity these days), and...voila! It's as close to musical-theatre perfection as I've seen in a long, long time. Patti LuPone's Mama Rose was excellent the whole way through, but her "Rose's Turn" was truly outstanding. And if that's not reason enough to go, Laura Benanti's beautifully developed Louise should just about seal the deal. Definitely a must-see!
I had the pleasure of catching singer Susan Winter in her show, Love Rolls On, at the Metropolitan Room on Sunday, June 1st. Susan was nominated for a 2008 MAC award for female debut (for the show she did last year, Million Dollar Matinee), and it's easy to see why. Graced with a warm, jazzy vocal quality, Susan instantly puts her audience at ease, and she's got personality to spare! This show included some of my favorite standards, including "I'm So Lucky To Be Me" and "It Amazes Me," and Susan also incorporated the story of her parents' romance during World War II, reading letters that they had written to each other and really treating the audience to a special, personal story. Directed by Lina Koutrakos with musical direction by Rick Jensen, it was a beautifully constructed and beautifully performed show.
On Tuesday, June 3rd, it was off to the Hoboken International Film Festival to catch a screening of Garrison, which was written and directed by my best friend from high school, Kerry Valderrama (and he also stars in it!!). Inspired by the Fort Bragg killings of 2002, the movie takes an honest look at military life and post-traumatic stress syndrome. I'd seen the movie once before, and both times, I was really blown away by how well-done it was. Very realistic, and it makes you really think about what our troops go through, without hitting you over the head with any "message." This is Kerry's first film and I really can't wait to see his next! On Thursday, June 4th, I accompanied Kerry to the awards ceremony, where one of his actors, James Barnes, won for best supporting actor, and Kerry received a nomination for best screenplay - very cool!
On Friday, June 6th, I headed to the Metropolitan Room for Metrojam, the monthly open mic hosted by Joe Bachana. Joe kicked things off with a swingin' "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and I was honored to be the first guest of the evening (I did two of my favorites: "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart" and "Just In Time"). Also on the talented lineup that evening were Raissa Katona Bennett, Rob Langeder, Harmony Keeney, Lucy Shropshire, and the aforementioned Susan Winter. Backed by the wonderfully talented trio of John DiPinto on piano, Frank Wagner on bass, and Bobby Sher on drums, this was a really great Metrojam! Since the first Friday of next month is a holiday (July 4th), Metrojam won't be held again until the first Friday in August, but I'm already looking forward to it!
I spent Saturday and Sunday upstate, visiting my family and spending some quality playing and cuddling time with my nephew Charlie - he's getting to be such a big boy! Hard to believe he's going to be a year old in a few months!
Sunday evening, I headed back to the city and the sweltering heat, and then Monday it was back to the weekday grind. On Monday evening, I caught singer Kevin Dozier's show at Don't Tell Mama. Originally from New York, but having spent the last 13 years in San Francisco, Kevin surrounded himself with some top-notch artists to help him craft his NYC debut. With direction by Scott Barnes and musical direction by Christopher Marlowe, Kevin easily glided through the hour-long show, with some new takes on old standards such as "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "I Wanna Be Around" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," as well as new takes on newer standards like "Gimme Gimme" and Kander & Ebb's "Yes." Graced with a warm, inviting baritone voice, Kevin is a welcome addition to the NYC cabaret scene. After Kevin's show, it was time to head to Birdland for Cast Party, which was a blast, as usual! Jim Caruso was back in town from his U.K. trip with Liza Minelli, and it was great to have him back on the Birdland stage!
Tuesday evening, it was off to Johnny Utah's for a fundraiser for the Opening Doors Theatre Company. Since their upcoming production is The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, the party had a western-ish theme, and included a mechanical bull-riding competition! Donning my sparkly cowgirl hat (I always knew I'd find an excuse to wear that!), I gamely hopped on the bull and gave him a good run for his money! A good time was had by all, and hopefully, the theatre company made a few bucks on the evening!
That just about brings us up to date - stay cool, and check for another update soon!
Let's see, let's see...where to start?
Well, when I last left off, I was headed to see Gypsy on Broadway - and wow, I am so glad I did! What a show! The music alone is enough to make me swoon, but add to that a top-to-bottom stellar cast, accompanied by a FULL orchestra (such a rarity these days), and...voila! It's as close to musical-theatre perfection as I've seen in a long, long time. Patti LuPone's Mama Rose was excellent the whole way through, but her "Rose's Turn" was truly outstanding. And if that's not reason enough to go, Laura Benanti's beautifully developed Louise should just about seal the deal. Definitely a must-see!
I had the pleasure of catching singer Susan Winter in her show, Love Rolls On, at the Metropolitan Room on Sunday, June 1st. Susan was nominated for a 2008 MAC award for female debut (for the show she did last year, Million Dollar Matinee), and it's easy to see why. Graced with a warm, jazzy vocal quality, Susan instantly puts her audience at ease, and she's got personality to spare! This show included some of my favorite standards, including "I'm So Lucky To Be Me" and "It Amazes Me," and Susan also incorporated the story of her parents' romance during World War II, reading letters that they had written to each other and really treating the audience to a special, personal story. Directed by Lina Koutrakos with musical direction by Rick Jensen, it was a beautifully constructed and beautifully performed show.
On Tuesday, June 3rd, it was off to the Hoboken International Film Festival to catch a screening of Garrison, which was written and directed by my best friend from high school, Kerry Valderrama (and he also stars in it!!). Inspired by the Fort Bragg killings of 2002, the movie takes an honest look at military life and post-traumatic stress syndrome. I'd seen the movie once before, and both times, I was really blown away by how well-done it was. Very realistic, and it makes you really think about what our troops go through, without hitting you over the head with any "message." This is Kerry's first film and I really can't wait to see his next! On Thursday, June 4th, I accompanied Kerry to the awards ceremony, where one of his actors, James Barnes, won for best supporting actor, and Kerry received a nomination for best screenplay - very cool!
On Friday, June 6th, I headed to the Metropolitan Room for Metrojam, the monthly open mic hosted by Joe Bachana. Joe kicked things off with a swingin' "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and I was honored to be the first guest of the evening (I did two of my favorites: "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart" and "Just In Time"). Also on the talented lineup that evening were Raissa Katona Bennett, Rob Langeder, Harmony Keeney, Lucy Shropshire, and the aforementioned Susan Winter. Backed by the wonderfully talented trio of John DiPinto on piano, Frank Wagner on bass, and Bobby Sher on drums, this was a really great Metrojam! Since the first Friday of next month is a holiday (July 4th), Metrojam won't be held again until the first Friday in August, but I'm already looking forward to it!
I spent Saturday and Sunday upstate, visiting my family and spending some quality playing and cuddling time with my nephew Charlie - he's getting to be such a big boy! Hard to believe he's going to be a year old in a few months!
Sunday evening, I headed back to the city and the sweltering heat, and then Monday it was back to the weekday grind. On Monday evening, I caught singer Kevin Dozier's show at Don't Tell Mama. Originally from New York, but having spent the last 13 years in San Francisco, Kevin surrounded himself with some top-notch artists to help him craft his NYC debut. With direction by Scott Barnes and musical direction by Christopher Marlowe, Kevin easily glided through the hour-long show, with some new takes on old standards such as "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "I Wanna Be Around" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," as well as new takes on newer standards like "Gimme Gimme" and Kander & Ebb's "Yes." Graced with a warm, inviting baritone voice, Kevin is a welcome addition to the NYC cabaret scene. After Kevin's show, it was time to head to Birdland for Cast Party, which was a blast, as usual! Jim Caruso was back in town from his U.K. trip with Liza Minelli, and it was great to have him back on the Birdland stage!
Tuesday evening, it was off to Johnny Utah's for a fundraiser for the Opening Doors Theatre Company. Since their upcoming production is The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, the party had a western-ish theme, and included a mechanical bull-riding competition! Donning my sparkly cowgirl hat (I always knew I'd find an excuse to wear that!), I gamely hopped on the bull and gave him a good run for his money! A good time was had by all, and hopefully, the theatre company made a few bucks on the evening!
That just about brings us up to date - stay cool, and check for another update soon!
posted by Jenna @ 4:12 PM
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