By Bart Greenberg***ASA/Cabaret Scenes magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary of supporting the cabaret community, both through the magazine and website, with a delightful “birthday party.” The American Songbook Association (ASA) also promotes its mission through the Education and Outreach in public schools, introducing students to the great American songbook in all of its manifestations.
The gala program marking the occasion took place on Sunday, February 23 at The Green Room 42, one of the newer and very comfortable boites devoted to expanding the definition of the art form of cabaret. An impressive roster of stars (almost all former cover girls/boys for the magazine) each offered up one song, forming a splendid range in material and styles. The evening moved quickly, with only a few brief speeches and lots of melody, much of it backed up by the versatile music director Daryl Kojak.
After the sparkling Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano kicked off the evening with a spirited medley of songs about Broadway, Carolyn Montgomery, Director of Education and Outreach for the ASA, duetted with Eric Yves Garcia to offer a charming “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.” (Montgomery also served as hostess of the show in the absence of the ailing long-time Cabaret Scenes editor, Frank Dain.) Executive Director Marilyn Lester followed with a brief welcome before turning the stage back over to the singers, beginning with a fiery rendition of “That Old Black Magic” by T. Oliver Reed and powerhouse Laurie Krauz ripping the place apart with “Love Is Here to Stay.”
The adorable Betsyann Faiella made a happy return to the cabaret stage with “Crossword Puzzle” before Chicago’s Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael offered an affecting two-version medley of“Time After Time.” Fellow Chicagoan and award-winning star Carla Gordon brought a deliciously dry delivery to an original selection, “Alternate Facts.” Danny Bacher brought his hot saxophone and jazzy delivery to the tale of “Hard Hearted Hannah.” Then came one of the emotional highlights of the evening; Broadway veterans Anita Gillette and Penny Fuller joined forces (with Paul Greenwood at the piano) serenading the audience with “Once Upon a Time.”
The proud survivor Rudy Rims offered up musical advice with “Just Ask Me, I’ve Been There,” after which the very funny Julie Gold, happy that she was singing something other than “From a Distance,” bemoaned that she was “Alone Again at the Genius Bar.” Stacy Sullivan brought a bit of torch to the sunny “It’s a Good Day,” giving it a fresh spin, after which stunning Tanya Holt delivered the still sadly current “Lauging Matters.” Jamie deRoy evoked much laughter with her direct admission that “Jews Don’t Camp” before Marissa Mulder shifted the mood with an edgier “Across the Universe.”
Steven Brinberg had already shipped “Barbra” off for out of town engagements, so instead he reincarnated Anthony Newley and his “What Kind of Fool Am I?” (although Barbra may have snuck back in town for just a moment). Then chanteuse Corinna Sowers Adler provided a moody “New York State of Mind,” before beloved Sidney Myer got really deliciously filthy with “It Was You.”
After that, on reaching the stage, the fabulous Natalie Douglas remarked, “because Baby Jesus hates me, I have to follow Sidney Myer.” Of course, she had nothing to worry about as she captivated with “Mississippi Goddamn,” invoking full audience participation for the refrains. Current Cabaret Scenes “cover boy” and nightlife legend Steve Ross elegantly (as if he has any other way) offered up a medley of “Cheek to Cheek” and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” President of the ASA Board, Keith Meritz, offered a few remarks before yielding the floor to the delightful duo of KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler (she clad in the same outfit she had previously worn on the magazine cover) who delivered special and highly appropriate lyrics to “Thanks for the Memory.” All in all, it was a truly memorable evening.
The ASA is a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit incorporated in New York State. Your membership is a fully tax-deductible donation to the extent of the law. ASA/Cabaret Scenes magazine is a premier benefit of your ASA membership.
For more information and to donate, go to www.americansongbookassociation.org or call 347-387-4945.
All photos below by Maryann Lopinto. Click to enlarge.
Leave a Reply