Rev. Mary Whitebush, aka Mary Elizabeth Micari, is a singer and actor and the Artistic DIrector at Genesis Repertory Ensemble. She’s also lead vocalist at Rev. Mary Whitebush the RED HOT MAMA with Granny’s Blue-Mers and Opera Jazz Blues. As Micari she also happens to be a Reiki Master and healer, having studied the Sound Voice & Music Healing Certificate Program at Sound and Music Institute at the New York Open Center.
NiteLife Exchange: When did you first realize that you wanted to perform and when was the first time you sang in front of an audience?
Rev.Mary: I began singing at six in school. I performed with choirs and choruses in school. I’d guess the first time there was an audience would have about that time. The first time I sang solo would have been at 11 years old in a show I was in with my class, My Fair Lady.
NLE: What were your early influences?
Rev Mary: My father was always listening to music. Always. We always had the radio on too. I was first introduced to his music with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles and so many more from his album collection. Then I got into soul music and blues in the early 1970s as well as more eclectic rock and punk as I went on. I was also always hearing opera at home and with my grandparents!
NLE: How did you eventually get involved in Cabaret?
Rev. Mary: This long singing road led me to creating my own show and getting that done at The Duplex in 2015. Granny’s Blue-Mers was born out of a long-time researching hokum blues, vaudeville and swing music from the 1910-1950 time period. I did three shows based on the HUGE amount of “dirty” blues songs I stumbled across and we are still doing it! I also decided to look at my diaries from childhood till now and read/sing them in a series of acts called The Lady in…. The first show was called The Lady in Black.
NLE: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your singing and acting career?
Rev. Mary: For a long time, I was an opera singer primarily (now it’s just jazz and blues) and one time I was performing in a concert with many very famous singers. I was terrified. After my first note I was sure I was doing everything wrong and tried to back off the stage and run away. Unfortunately, I got hooked in the curve of the grand piano on stage and could go nowhere. I sang through the aria with total concentration and hoping that I could escape without rotten fruit thrown at me. I left the stage before the crowd could boo and ran. I changed my clothes, got my MetroCard and started to leave. One of the singers grabbed me and said, “Where are you going? Didn’t you hear the crowd applauding? You are fantastic!.” I was shocked. I was never frightened again!
NLE: What would you say is your current motivator?
Rev. Mary: I want to sing. I want to explore all these wonderful songs and have a great time as I do. I want to revitalize these old songs and just have fun. I want to make people laugh and forget their troubles and I want to tell my story as well.
NLE: What do you like to do on your spare time?
Rev. Mary: Be out in nature. Birdwatch, forage for wild plants, make herbal medicines and more. Nature. Always nature.
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