Tweet this article !
If you’re in town for the summer, if you’re hosting out-of-towners seeking entertainment, if you need some cool music to beat the heat, here are some things to look forward to for the last part of July. Each is a one-night-only event that sounds special, with a whole group of performers whose talents many of us have enjoyed in the past.
This Friday, July 18, SuCa Productions presents NEW VOICES FOR NEW YORK: THE SONGS OF PATRICK FRANKFORT & TAMMY SMITH. Patrick is the "Pat" half of Booth and Pat and his songs are anything but pat. They’re quirky and snarky and creative. His usual song partner Booth Daniels, whose monthly shows at The Duplex and are on the schedule again Sunday (reviewed in my last column) will be on hand, of course. But this time it’s not just Booth, the whole Booth and nothing but the Booth. In addition to the MAC Winners for Debut Jonathan Whitton and Suzanne Carrico (who produces and hosts the program), they’ll be joined by Brandon Cutrell, Molly Pope, Jennifer Furman, Kenny Holcomb, and Angela Schultz, one of the four winners in the second round of the MetroStar Challenge talent contest continuing on Mondays at The Metropolitan Room. I’ve been enjoying Pat’s off-center songs for a while, especially enjoying his comical laments about the losses of his hair and romances. Tammy Smith is newer to most of us. Her laugh-packed song, "You Don’t Get to Quit Your Day Job" written for Ben Cherry’s impressive solo debut show in January and included in a multi-performer show after that, is a case of "one song is enough to say ‘wow!’" It’s a "who wrote that terrific number?’ situation, making one eager to hear more from a writer who has obvious comic skills and knowledge of songwriting craft. She’ll be there, too, of course. (Ben is performing in summer theatre in Utah). The band of Tracy Stark (another MAC Award winner this year) will provide the accompaniment. Friday’s 8 pm show is at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in the West Bank Café, 407 West 42 Street, Reservations: 212.695.6909. $15 Cover, $15 Minimum - $10 Cover for MAC & Cabaret Hotline members.
FUNDRAISER TRIBUTE TO HELP BARBARA LEA
The following Friday (July 25) at the same venue (7:30 pm) will be a fundraiser tribute to help one of the all-time great singers, Barbara Lea, who is facing some serious "life challenges" after a long career of entertaining us with her classy jazz-informed singing in person and many albums that stretch back to the 1950s. The $15 food/drink minimum applies and donations are accepted, with a suggested contribution of $20 and up. Performers include some long-time musical associates and admirers: Steve Ross, Bob Dorough, Daryl Sherman, Karen Oberlin, Ronny Whyte, Annie Dinerman, Melissa Hamilton, Sue Matsuki, pianist Keith Ingham and the Loren Schoenberg Big Band. Those who are unable to attend may send donations to The Barbara Lea Fund, c/o Jeanie Wilson, 212 Ramblewood Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609-6404.
That Friday will be the perfect double-header as we cabaret fans call two special back-to-back shows (apparently, the term "double-header’ is also used for some kind of sporting event involving a wooden stick and a round white object, but I’ll need to look that up). There should be time to head downtown twenty blocks and a few avenues to The Metropolitan Room for their 9:45 pm (cabaret time zone) start of a fun night spotlighting the talents of their staff who, at other times, might be serving you drinks (or pie) or greeting you. It’s the METROPOLITAN ROOM STAFF SPECTACULAR! A previous night like this was quite cool, and there’s no shortage of musical talent with this family of experienced performers who can stir up much more than a cocktail. Performers include winners of MAC and Nightlife Awards. And again, the $20 cover goes to a worthy cause: Help Is On The Way Today, a charity for children who are dealing with HIV/AIDS (and specifically to help one little boy get a wheelchair). The scheduled performers are Lennie Watts, Tom Gamblin, Marla Green, Tanya Holt, Daryl Glenn, Michelle Collier, Jim Cargill, Lorinda Lisitza, Eddie Jacques,David Colbert, Mark McCombs, Nick Bremer, Eric Pickering, and Amy Wolk. The club is at 34 West 22 Street. Phone number for reservations is 212-206-0440. (Note that the usual minimum applies)
These three Friday group efforts are real highlights for the month! With the many choices in cabaret, seeing a group show –especially one where your cover covers costs for a charity—can be not only the best bet, but often a safe bet.
This column is made possible by the generous support of Jamie deRoy & Friends.
