DAY TEN 12/14 (Reported by Kati Neiheisel): Someone Else’s Hat: A Sondheim Wishlist: Gerry Geddes thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and playful production featured songs Stephen Sondheim told The New York Times he wished he had written, interspersed with original stories from producer Geddes’ new book, 
Didn’t I Ever Tell You This? Geddes’ book tells of his life and loves in New York City, from 1967-95. The original stories loosely related to the songs that followed. Accomplished musical director Darius Frowner accompanied a solid group of performers, each more compelling than the next. I couldn’t take my eyes and ears off Dana Aber, Brian Childers, Matt DiPasquale, Karen Mack, Sue Matsuki, Andre Montgomery, and George Winters, as they sang songs composed by Lee Adams, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Ralph Blane, Jerry Bock, Cy Coleman, Oscar Hammersteion II, E.Y. Harburg, Sheldon Harnick, Jerome Kern, Carolyn Leigh, Hugh Martin, Johnny Mercer and Charles Strouse. With a song list curated by Stephen Sondheim, what could go wrong? Nothing. I just relaxed and enjoyed the stories, the songs and the amazing voices.
DAY TEN 12/14 (Reported by Kati Neiheisel): The Village Gate Reunion Show: The stage exuded a warm and loving glow as some of the original Village Gate singers reunited to reminisce about their early days singing at the Gate’s street-level terrace, and to honor their Village Gate mother and mentor, the late Trudi Mann. From 1987-93, Stan Edwards hosted a showcase with musical director Gary Pace. Singers auditioned for Edwards and Pace for a spot on the bill and a place in the Village Gate family. The evening started on a festive, holiday note with a medley of songs from the 1965 animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, performed by Gregory Toroian on piano, Skip Ward on bass, and David Silliman on drums. The host for the evening, Sue Matsuki, met Toroian 35 years ago at the Gate
and then later reconnected; they’re now celebrating 30 years together as collaborators. They celebrated their fateful meeting with “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.” Greg Caldarone, a wonderful singer with a clear, strong voice, had the crowd singing along to his passionate version of “More Today than Yesterday.” Next, he sang his signature song, “I Am a Singer,” the song that got him the gig at the Gate. “Stan adored it. He was a beautiful man. He treated us like we were on the Johnny Carson show.” Jennifer Pace, a riveting, kinetic singer, sang songs arranged by her father, Village Gate musical director Gary Pace. Her performance of “Stardust,” her current favorite, was heartfelt and gorgeous. Next, Matsuki
introduced vocalist Susan Saar, who performed at the Gate near the end of its run. Saar lived above the club and, before singing on the terrace, worked seating people for the late night jazz sets. The lovely Saar, grateful to have found a way to revisit the Village Gate tribe, sang “No More Blues.” Matsuki returned to the stage to sing one of her signature songs from the Gate, “I’ll Close My Eyes,” a love letter to her husband. Ian Daizey, determined not to miss this reunion, came in from Pennsylvania. Daizey, an accompanist and musical director, said he began working at the Gate right out of college. He acknowledged Gary Pace and the late Vanessa Vickers as generous and kind mentors. He said, “the support from fellow musicians back then was off the charts.” Daizey, clearly in the holiday spirit, sang two joyful Christmas tunes, “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” and his own “Yule Carol.” Toroian sang a thoughtful and reflective “The Last Day,” before the cast reunited for “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
