By John Hoglund**** The cabaret community is mourning one of their own with the sudden passing of Collette Black on June 5, who died as a result of breast cancer complications. She was 63.
Her longtime life partner, Eadie Scott, issued a statement on Facebook on June 5, noting: “This was all very sudden; truly out of nowhere. The breast cancer Collette had survived 7 years ago had metastasized to her liver. She had gotten the all clear in January from the oncologist. Then suddenly, symptoms in April, tests in May… and she left us today at 2:22 pm.” Collette and Eadie Scott were partners in life, in business and love for 27 years. She has left a big void and leaves behind a plethora of heartbroken friends and fans.
A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Collette’s family moved to Dubois, PA when she was young. At 8 years old, she received an “Elmer Award” from her school for her performance in The Miracle Worker. She loved the award because it stands on a peanut butter cup. Her parents were active in community theater. Her father directed and acted; her mother made costumes and was an actress. While she was in high school, the family moved to Rochester, New York, where she was very happy. She had great fun costarring in a production of L’il Abner. Later, she attended SUNY at Geneseo. They were happy years and she majored in acting and English and excelled at both.
Ultimately, Collette moved to Manhattan to pursue new dreams. She had been bitten by the show business bug and was ready to take on the world. In those early years, she lived with Jim Curtin and singer Kelly Briggs, who said: “I am so saddened. I met Jimmy and Collette in summer stock in 1978. We became very close and later roommates after that summer. I worked at the Five Oaks and we all became very close to Terri White. So many memories rushing to me. I am just grateful for all the years of friendship and caring. And… the fun times we had and all the great parties we threw on 107th Street.”
Collette would tell the story of getting the call to come right over to the home of songwriter Dan Goggin to be fitted for her new costume/ She’d been cast to star in a new musical comedy called Nunsense. The very next day, she overheard friends talking: “ Did you hear who’s going to play Mother Superior in Nunsense?” She proudly expected to hear her name. She raised more than an eyebrow when someone said, “… it’s Mary Pat Green!” She called Goggin and asked him what had happened overnight. He just said, “Sorry, doll, Mary Pat knows Sondheim!” Ever the optimist, Collette shrugged and moved on.
Collette found a welcoming home in the bustling downtown Manhattan club scene of the late 1970s when she was hired by Rob Hoskins and Erv Raible, who’d bought The Duplex. She worked for them throughout the 1980s and developed a close friendship with Hoskins. She stayed with the club in both of its locations and was one of the very first to be hired at the newly christened Rose’s Turn. She also worked at Brandy’s Piano Bar on the upper east side (where it still remains).
A skilled actress, Collette wore many hats over the years as director, technical director, singer, booking manager, bartender and club manager, as well as juggling a very respected teaching career. For years, she regularly instructed classes at the 92nd Street Y in the art of cabaret through a course called “Exploring Cabaret.” Nurturing newcomers became a passion and specialty of hers, winning Collette considerable respect among her peers. Numerous artists credit her as their inspiration to pursue dreams of performing. She was particularly noted for her unending patience, encouragement and instilling confidence where it was needed most. Collette didn’t suffered fools gladly though, and wasn’t shy about expressing her strong opinions when called for.
Multi-award winning cabaret artist Ricky Ritzel recalled Collette throwing him and performer Jim Luzar out of The Duplex the first time that they walked in because of the kooky way they were dressed. They returned and again she ordered them to “Get out!” They refused. She looked them over again, laughed and quipped, “Alright. What are you drinking then?” A forever friendship was born on the spot. This trait was typical of Collette. When she became your friend, it was forever—and it was real. There are endless great stories of the good times that the piano bar/cabaret community can recall about Collette, one of their own.
Collette’s Off-Broadway directing credits include: What In the World?, Take It Easy (at the Judith Anderson Theatre,) The Newsical Revue at the John Houseman Theatre and Our Life & Times at Caroline’s on Broadway. She is well known for directing countless cabaret acts over the years. She was honored by her peers numerous times for her achievements in cabaret, receiving several MAC awards, a Nightlife award and two Back Stage Bistro awards. Speaking for the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC,) president, colleague and longtime friend Lennie Watts, issued a statement on Facebook: “MAC joins the cabaret community in mourning the loss of dear Collette Black. A major force in the cabaret world for over 30 years, Collette was a teacher, director, booking manager, technician, performer and a truly beautiful spirit. The number of lives that she touched is unsurpassed. She was kind, supportive and generous with her time and talents. She will be missed by so many. With our heartfelt condolences to Eadie Scott and all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with her.”
Recently, aside from her directing and tech duties at her beloved home club, Don’t Tell Mama, Collette was also working at the famed Broadway Comedy Club, on West 53rd Street, helping to reintroduce cabaret shows at the venue. Al Martin, owner of the Broadway Comedy Club, issued this statement on behalf of the club: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a wonderful human being and our friend, Collette Black. For nearly 40 years, Collete has been a beloved fixture of the New York cabaret scene. As booking agent, director, performer and technician, her love of music and theater has inspired hundreds of artists. In the fall of 2016, Collette took an interest in the little red room at the Broadway Comedy Club. She re-dubbed it as the wry, “53 Above” and began our ongoing project to revitalize the room as a cabaret venue. We, at the club, owe Collette a debt of gratitude for her humor, creativity humanity and passionate work to better the art form we love.”
On a personal note, my dealings with with Collette were all memorable. We knew each other since the 1980s. I loved her enthusiasm and how so many people gravitated to her for advice or fun conversation. The door was always open. Collette was ready to hear new suggestions. She was generous with her time and often offered advice and helpful hints to new performers after a show (at no charge, of course). I saw artists improve after a single, five minute chat with Collette. We met several times to discuss building the audiences for cabaret at 53 Above. We were on the same page and had a lot of respect for one another. Unfortunately (for me), I had to drop out to handle a personal matter, but Collette kept encouraging me to return and pick up where I left off. I will always remember her generosity of spirit and her intelligent insight. Mostly, I’ll remember how she made me feel confident when I needed it most.
Facebook has been overflowing with numerous comments from grateful, heartbroken students that Collette helped over the years.
Eadie Scott called Collette “the love of my life” and said, “The outpouring of love and gratitude for her is so vast, I have been calling her ‘the George Bailey of cabaret.’ Thank you all so much… one day at a time.” She said this because Collette touched and changed so many lives. She called her that in her final days and it made her smile. Lastly, Eadie said simply, “We were all blessed to know her.”
A very special celebration of Collette’s exceptional life is planned for mid-July at Don’t Tell Mama.
By allowing me to sing in cabaret she has kept me alive. I’m 87 and still going strong, a lot due to Collette’s kindness and understanding and encouragement. I loved her deeply and will forever be grateful to her. Rest In Peace my dear friend!
Beautifully said John. She was one in a million.