DAY SEVEN 12/11: (Kati Neiheisel reporting): Matthew Martin Ward & Friends: After rushing in from the rain and the latest subway snafus, the audience relaxed into a show that was as warm and wonderful as a big hug. Be
loved musical director, singer and songwriter Matthew Martin Ward, who recently made his solo singing debut after 50 years in showbiz, kicked off the show with songs of the city, referencing the madness we’d just left outside. Now, safe and cozy inside, it was a treat to hear from Ward’s eclectic group of singing friends, well-known within the cabaret community. Debbie Kane Raymar charmed and amused with “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby.” Daryl Glenn (pictured right), festive in red and green sequins from Santa hat to boots, beautifully sang “Christmas Children” and “A Christmas Carol” from the film Scrooge (1970). Stew Frimer’s version of “Almost Like Being in Love” from the musical Brigadoon (1947) definitely put a smile on my face. 
The ray of sunshine known as Mary Lahti sang and danced to “Ring Them Bells.” Ira Lee Collins brought the house to tears with “Strangers,” a touching song of loneliness and the search for human connection. A playful Goldie Dver jazzed things up with Anthony Newley’s “Pop Goes the Weasel,” followed by Geoff Stoner’s gorgeous and reflective “Autumn in New York.” Bennett Silverstein reveled in and delighted the audience with “They All Laughed.” The lovely Ellen Auwarter, the final friend of the evening, presented us with a beautiful rendition of “The Prayer,” a song to soothe the soul that had more tears flowing. Matthew Martin Ward wrapped up the evening with a toast, “Here’s to Us,” from the musical Little Me (1962). This feel-good show filled my heart and I smiled, even as I stepped back out into the rain.
DAY SEVEN 12/11: (Sue Matsuki reporting) Steven Brinberg in Simply Barbra—The Holiday Show: Further to Kati’s comments above, here’s to the night owls who also braved the weather to attend our 2nd show with the always wonderful Steven Brinberg, in an intimate concert from Babs herself! Barbra’s arrangements, sense of humor, mannerisms and affectations were all 
perfectly mastered by this master of impersonation. What makes Steven’s act different from any other “man in a dress” is that he loses himself in a real performance of Barbra, so much so that you lose yourself over to the fact that it is not Barbra on stage. If you can buy that he was this good as Barbra (because he was), just know that in an epic 11:00 number, Brinberg further showed his impressive impersonation chops as Barbra imitating other major stars in song from Bernadette Peters to Julie Andrews to Eartha Kitt to Joan Crawford to well, there were about 10 of them, ALL presented with dead-on mannerism and vocals by Steven. Frances Hill, the Director of Urban Stages, was so impressed she said she’d never seen anything like this show before, which made me so proud that I had the good sense to book it! Steven, THANK YOU. You killed it my sister, er brother, er sis-tah-brother! HUGE props to the also stellar Michael Lavine on the keys. As Barbra referred to him, “Her one-man full orchestra”! There was also a very handsome, singer-actor, surprise special guest, John Beckwith, who did two numbers. What a beautiful night! Both shows!
