Michael Feinstein can do it, so can Steve Ross, Eric Comstock, Eric Yves Garcia, and others I’ve left out that can do it. Bobby Short did it. Artists like John Bucchino and Billy Stritch when called upon can do it, but sorry Tedd (Firth), you are one of the greats, but you can’t do it. Walking out alone, sitting in front of 88 keys of 7 feet of piano, adjusting your mic stand so your arms and fingers can move unobstructed while you sing, and then keep the audience entertained for 75 minutes. Last night at Feinstein’s/54 Below John Epperson ( I’m leaving out the traditional “Lypsinka”) did just that with a wonderful collection of songs and stories. He did it while leaving his famous stage character “Lypsinka” at home. John is a fine classically trained pianist whose style reminded me of the type of exacting playing required for Broadway rehearsals. If you think that means not main stage ability, think again. George Gershwin and Marvin Hamlisch were rehearsal pianists. This was an evening of wonderful music and humor presented by a very talented, classy gentleman. It reaches the highest level of cabaret and piano bar type of entertainment. A big shout out to John’s director Jay Rogers who I’m sure has a history of seeing many piano/vocalists and his experience was very prevalent in the show, which also contained one fantastic lip-synch number.
John Epperson is appearing again on January 23rd at 7 PM and take my word for it, you will be able to easily spot him on stage. It’s just John, piano, and mic.
(For Stephen’s complete photos of John Epperson at Feinstein’s/54 Below go to broadwayworld.com)
Piano & Mic
John Epperson
Jay Rogers, director & John Epperson
Jay Rodgers, Cory Lingner, John Epperson, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Zak Resnick
John Epperson
Karen Akers, Jim Caruso, Tony Danza, Jamie deRoy, Max von Essen, Melissa Errico, Bob Mackie, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Josh Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Rex Reed, Randy Roberts, Mo Rocca , Mark Sendroff, Lee Roy Reams, Brenda Vaccaro and David Zippel were there to see and honor Cabaret legend and Grammy nominee Marilyn Maye. Maye who turns 95 April 10th, made her at Carnegie Hall solo debut last night with The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke.
Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance and it showed with the 12 standing ovations she received.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, she was “discovered” by Steve Allen and had a RCA recording contract, seven albums and 34 singles.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
The evening started out with the superlative New York Pops Overture of Mame, which Maye had played the title role.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Next a Cole Porter Medley with “Looking at You,” Concentrate On You,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” It’s Alright With Me,””Just One of Those Things,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “All of You”. This was Marilyn’s second standing ovation. The first was when she stood on that stage for the first time and the audience was rapturous.
Marilyn Maye and Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
A terrific “It’s Today” from Mame with high flying kicks was the third ovation and wow can that woman kick.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
A rainbow medley included “Look To The Rainbow” from Finnian’s Rainbow, the iconic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” the jazzy “Make Me Rainbows” and of course “The Rainbow Connection.” And with that another standing ovation.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
“Put On A Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Tedd Firth and Marilyn Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Frank Loesser’s Joey, Joey, Joey brought on a fifth standing ovation. This song was a masterclass in acting and vocal nuance. For that matter every song that comes out of Ms. Maye’s mouth is perfection. Part of the brilliance of this night is her musical director, arranger, and pianist Ted Firth. That man is a genius.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady ended the first act with a sixth standing ovation.
Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
The overture from Hello Dolly! and then Cabaret shows Marilyn Maye also starred in opened the second act. The New York Pops sounded phenomenal as always.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
“Your Gonna Hear From Me” from “Inside Daisy Clover was an appropriate starter for this next round as the audience got to its feet.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Maye’s most requested song “Guess Who I Saw Today” from New Faces of 1952 was followed by a show stopping “Fifty Percent” from Ballroom and of course another standing ovation.
Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Her next song was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to be included in its permanent collection of recordings from the 20th century. Her recording of “Too Late Now” is considered by the Smithsonian to be one of the 110 Best American Compositions of the Twentieth Century and Ms. Maye showed us why and again another standing ovation.
Being presented with flowers
A proclamation from The City of New York read by Steven Reineke to Marilyn Maye made this day Marilyn Maye Day. This treasure cried with joy as she sang Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here.” Though she forgot some of the lyric, Ms. Maye proved performing is all on the intent and connecting to the audience. Two more standing ovations were added here.
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
For encores, I was thrilled to hear James Taylor’s “Circle of Life” and “Here’s To Life,” which is my personal favorite, finally going back into “It’s Today” with those high kicks and a twelfth standing ovation. Bravo Ms. Maye!
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
If you are a singer and do not catch Ms. Maye live, you really do not care about your craft. Last night Ms. Maye made it clear why she’s been celebrated as one of America’s greatest jazz singers for more than 50 years and this was a night I will always remember. Thank-you New York Pops.
Marilyn Maye By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Jamie deRoy and Tony Danza Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Eric Gabbard., Steven Reineke, Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Bob Mackie and Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Marilyn Maye and Mark Sendroff Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Karen Akers, Sidney Myer, Marilyn Maye and Lee Roy Reams Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Josh Prince, Marilyn Maye and Michael Novak Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Don’t miss the Pop’s 40th Birthday Gala: This One’s For You: The Music Of Barry Manilow on Monday, May 1st. The gala will star Sean Bell, Erich Bergen, Betty Buckley, Charo, Deborah Cox, Danny Kornfeld, Norm Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Billy Stritch, Steven Telsey, Max von Essen, Dionne Warwick, and more to be announced. This will be yet another New York Pop’s Night not to miss.
Cabaret
My View: It’s Today! It’s Tonight! Marilyn Maye Rehearses For Her New York Pops Carnegie Hall Debut
Sometimes you have to pinch yourself at the opportunities you are presented with. TODAY would be one of those. Or as Marilyn Maye might sing to you, “It’s Today.”
This afternoon I had the privilege of witnessing the 95 year old star, rehearsing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Maestro Steven Reineke, in front of the mighty New York Pops Orchestra. It all happens tonight and has been a lifetime in the making. As if The New York Times piece, bylined by Melissa Errico, wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for what is sure to be a historic evening, maybe these photos will help get you even more excited. Thank you to all who made this happen for me, to present to you….Humbly Yours, Stephen
MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE
MARILYN MAYE
MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE
MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE
CARNEGIE HALL
MARILYN MAYE
Cabaret
THE GREEN ROOM 42 Presents Tony Award-nominee Sharon McNight Celebrating 40 Years of Stories And Songs
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Tony Award-nominee Sharon McNight in “Surviving Cabaret,” a storied look back at the last forty years of notable performances, on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15, both at 7:00 PM. McNight is known for her “no holds barred” approach to performing, which has earned the entertainer multiple honors and two Lifetime Achievement awards. She is famous for making audiences laugh and cry at the same show with her eclectic bag of musical choices, which include blues, country, Broadway, comedy, parody, impressions and accompanying stories. She will be joined by musical director James “Jim Bob” Followell.
Sharon McNight began her career in San Francisco, and made her Broadway debut in 1989 in Starmites, creating the role of Diva. She received a Tony nomination as “Best Leading Actress in a Musical” for her performance, and is the recipient of the Theatre World Award for “Outstanding Broadway Debut” and a Hirschfeld drawing of her character. She has six solo recordings to her credit, and has played from Moose Hall to Carnegie Hall, from Los Angeles to Berlin. In addition to her two Lifetime Achievement awards, she has won the MAC, Bistro, and New York Nightlife Awards, and six San Francisco Cabaret Gold Awards.
Her eclectic repertory ranges from blues to country to good old-fashioned entertainment. She is noted for her movie reenactment of The Wizard of Oz and for being one of the few real women to impersonate Bette Davis. Her television credits include “Seinfeld,” “Silk Stalkings,” and “Hannah Montana.” McNight received her Masters of Arts degree in direction from San Francisco State College and was a master teacher on the faculty of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. She says the greatest day of her life was the day she quit smoking.
Sharon McNight will perform “Surviving Cabaret”on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15, both at 7:00 PM, at The Green Room 42 (570 Tenth Avenue at 42nd Street, on the 4th Floor of Yotel). The cover charge ranges from $30-$50. A livestream option is available for both shows at $20 each. For tickets, please visit www.TheGreenRoom42.com.
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