Tonight, it was back to the Metropolitan Room again, this time for a benefit for Help Is On The Way Today. I was honored to be part of a wonderful lineup for the show, including Mary Foster Conklin, David Gurland, Julie Reyburn, Terese Genecco, Sidney Myer, Lina Koutrakos, Lennie Watts, Karen Mason, and KT Sullivan! The show was called Broadway Our Way, and all of the songs were Broadway showtunes that had been given new arrangements by the performers (and, of course, their musical directors!). It was a really fun show to be a part of, and I so enjoyed listening to each performer's treatments of the Broadway material - some ended up being jazzy, some were lounge-y, some were introspective, and some were just utterly unique! Steven Ray Watkins served as musical director for the show and did a truly remarkable job of providing terrific accompaniment to such a wide variety of singers. Thanks to co-directors Lennie Watts and Lina Koutrakos for putting together such a wonderful show!
Where I'm going this week...
Sunday, July 26th: Tony DeSare at Bemelmans Bar. Singer/composer/pianist Tony DeSare is, hands down, one of my favorite entertainers. I wrote about him in my first Broadway World article, when he was doing his show at the Oak Room. This time, it's a more relaxed atmosphere as he plays a 3-hour gig at the classy Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. I can't wait!
Monday, July 27th: Well, if it's Monday, you can almost always find me at Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland. This fantastic open mic runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. - make sure you get there early to sign up if you want to sing!
Tuesday, July 28th: Marilyn Maye at Birdland! I wrote about the incomparable Miss Maye just last month when she did her Mercer tribute at the Metropolitan Room. This time, she's doing a one-night-only appearance with her show "Something Cool" at the famed jazz club - should be a very special show!
Thursday, July 23rd: Connie Francis AND Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at the Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island! Well, anybody who knows me knows that I've been thoroughly obsessed with Connie Francis of late (especially since I just did a tribute show to her!) and who doesn't love Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons?! All I can say is, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather that night!
Pictured: Sharon McNight
