Celebrated nightclub singer Marta Sanders returns to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street, in “Follow Me,” her new show that was seen in a short run last year. With Mark Nadler directing, the upcoming four-week major engagement of “Follow Me” performs on Thursday, February 2; Saturday, February 11; Thursday, February 16, and Saturday, February 25, all at 7pm.
In “Follow Me” Sanders explores her twin passions — New York, and the rest of the world! Also a high-end New York tour guide, Sanders, who once served as president of the Guides Association of New York City, has been called “a cabaret star of the highest rank” by John Hoglund in Theaterscenes.net, and “the queen of clowning” by Rob Lester in TalkingBroadway.com.
With her music director John McMahon on piano, Sanders takes us on a world-class romp around the world. All the while she takes note of the gravitational pull of The Big Apple, a city at the core of her appreciation for distant people and pleasures. Showing up on the tour are “Maria by the River” — a song she co-wrote with McMahon and Debra Zalkind — as well as tunes by Carol Hall, Sting, John Wallowitch, Peter Matz, as well as tunes she introduced with her frequent collaborator, the late Michael Greer.
A MAC and Bistro Award-winning vocalist, Sanders epitomizes a freewheeling American nightclub style that was prevalent until the ‘70s — and that has endured with such pros as Bobby Short, Steve Ross, Barbara Cook and Marilyn Maye. “Every time you see her you have a good time,” is how Scott Siegel saw it in TheaterMania.com.
Texas born, Sanders was cast in the original Broadway production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” soon after arriving in New York. She quickly became a coveted nightclub performer, traveling across Central and South America, Russia, and on both coasts. In New York she was a regular headliner at such clubs as Les Mouches, The Ballroom, Upstairs at Greene Street, Reno Sweeney, and Grand Finale. She also hosted a radio program on WLIR for a time.
In October her fans caught a satisfying glimpse of Sanders when she brought down the house closing the Sondheim tribute at the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention.
Marta’s recordings include “Panache” (available on CD Baby), and “Corazon del Alma” available through www.martanyc.com
“Follow Me,” Marta Sanders’ globetrotting club act about her life as a tour guide and world traveler plays The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd Street, on Thursday February 2; Saturday February 11; Thursday February 16, and Saturday February 25, all at 7pm. There is a $20 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. To pre-pay online visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com, or call 212/352-3101. For information only call 212-695-6909.
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