Matching MacCallum

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I am so excited to introduce this next writing assignment featuring debut artists!  Being a debut artist last year, I learned so much doing my first cabaret show.  So many things go into putting it together: song selection, patter, selecting your director, music director, musicians, getting your postcards done, publicity, the list goes on and on. During the time of my debut, I had someone tell me that it is very important for debut artists to stick together and support each other.  I took this to heart and went to virtually every other debut artist's show (with the exception of just a few) and introduced myself to these other performers who were like me.  I can't tell you how many new friends I've made in the process.  

Being a debut artist is difficult because the vast majority of the cabaret community has absolutely no idea who the heck you are.  We don't have audience followings like the seasoned artists do, and when it comes time to vote for the MAC Awards, I would venture to guess that most members have absolutely no idea who to vote for in our category, and do so through either the "eenie-meenie" process, or just through who they happen to hear about most through the proverbial grapevine, rather than actually seeing these artists' shows.  This young talent has a lot to say, and helps build our membership and change the way cabaret is formed and looked at in our industry.  One of these young, ingenuitive, up and coming artists is Nikki MacCallum with her show Matchmaker, Matchmaker, I'm Willing to Settle.

Nikki MacCallum is a quick-witted, computer-savvy performer who can both belt out a song, and bang out a Powerpoint presentation.  She is a 2006 graduate of NYU, with a degree in Vocal Performance. Shortly after graduating, she entered the musical theatre scene.  She performed in a few shows and then the recession hit and suddenly there were far less auditions and opportunities for creative outlet. So, she stuck with her day job of headhunting, as the Director of Staffing for a legal firm, until making her entry into the cabaret world.  Like any young female in New York, Nikki was having trouble meeting nice, single New York men, so she joined JDate.com (among others) and her Internet dating saga began.  Unfortunately, Nikki and I were not friends prior to her Internet experiences.  If we were, she would know from my debut show that there are roughly 210,820 more single women than men in the New York and New Jersey areas combined, and with a one man to every four women ratio in our city, any man who has to join a dating website to find love here has got some serious issues.  Over the past few months, Nikki has been actively dating via the Internet, and has been on so many hideous dates and received so many pathetic emails from potential suitors, that her friends started telling her she should write a show about it.  So she did.  Nikki is a smart and caring person, so she added a list of Internet dating rules to make it easier for the rest of us, like choosing the correct screen name, for example.

Since Nikki's background is in musical theatre, she started writing the show as a type of showcase to be seen by various agents and casting directors.  She wrote the show in two weeks.  She told me that initially, she "chose material to showcase my voice, but as I sat and wrote the stories out, songs changed as I went along, to go with the dramatic continuity of the piece."  I always wonder how people come up with these new, inventive ideas for their shows.  We've all been to shows that may have the same theme, or feature the same artist or composer, but there is always that certain something that makes each person's show unique.  Nikki incorporated a few funny ideas into her show and both of these happened at the last minute.  We may think of crazy, funny ideas for our shows, but Nikki actually has the gumption to incorporate them.  This bravery paid off for her.

The first last-minute add to her show was her creation of a Powerpoint presentation.  I thought this was so great because it added another layer or dimension to her show that I'd never seen anyone do before.  Plus, since her show was about Internet dating, it added that computer element.  Actually seeing the screen names on the big screen and her dating profile pictures, were quite funny.  The second last-minute change, which she didn't add until the night before her first performance was, for me, the funniest part of her show.  She sang the song "Dieter's Prayer" by Amanda McBroom, while simultaneously eating an entire multi course meal from Boston Market, which was sprawled out in front of her.  She literally sang for her supper!

Nikki says, "I have always been drawn to more obscure music."  She likes the 60's and more of a Bells are Ringing era of theatre.  In fact, I was not familiar with the vast majority of the songs she performed in her show.  The exception, a song I knew very well, turned out to be my favorite of hers in the show.  Nikki speaks quickly and her version of "Not Getting Married Today" by Stephen Sondheim, could rival my friend Heather Law's version of the song in the Broadway production of Company.  It was absolutely hilarious.

What does Nikki like the best about cabaret?  She says, "When you go in for an audition you are trying to fit into someone else's mold.  Cabaret allows me to create my own format and make my own rules." She can put her "Nikki stamp" on the piece.  She's enjoyed doing the show because it has "sparked more musical creativity" within her and helped her "gain confidence, making her auditions stronger and more solid."  Nikki is a smart, sweet girl who really does deserve a great man, who can keep up with her.  Don't settle, Nikki!  You can see her next show on Monday, November 1st at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street.  The show begins at 7pm with a big discount for MAC Members.