A Benefit for "Help is on the Way Today"

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There is talent all over the place at Metropolitan Room, not just the acts (many of whom are "names") that the astute booker Tanya Holt retains for the nightly shows. Don't forget the staff - your waiters, waitresses, service bartenders, hosts, tech people and the very helpful and attractive Podium Girls and reservationists - almost all of them plying their trade at the nightly "day jobs" between theatre roles, cabaret performances, lessons and auditions, and

this night was an opportunity for a number of them to strut their stuff and shine for an audience, and to help in a benefit for a very worthwhile organization. The evening was stunningly put together by producer Joseph Macchia, directed by Tom Gamblin and accompanied by pianist Caleb Hoyer.

The participants were Tom Gamblin, Elizabeth Cernedas, Darren Cardoza, Brad Wills, Marla Green, Julia Cook, Erin Smith, Liz McKendry, Eddie Jacques and Lorinda Lisitza. Space constraints don't allow me to review each artist separately, but just believe me when I say that there wasn't a dud in the bunch; every one a potential star. A particular standout was Darren Cardozo, who got more laughs with a piece of special material about the first Gay caveman, than one often gets in a whole evening. Singer Lorinda Lisitza, who some of you lucky piano bar fans may have picked up on around town, was called up to perform while serving drinks to people in a booth, and morphed from waitress to star without a qualm. I particularly enjoyed singer/reservationists Julia Cook and Marla Green, and service barman/stand-up comic Eddie Jacques.

Be on the lookout for a possible repeat of this banner evening. Metropolitan Room should have it back. You would have a great evening and Help is on the Way Today could use the very inexpensive $15 cover to further their good work.