From Stu Hamstra’s Cabaret Hotline Online
Published January 10, 2011
YOU’RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROW, A Benefit for the AEA Scholarship Fund at Singers Forum -DON’T TELL MAMA(343 West 46th Street, NYC – 212-757-0788 – ) – Musical Directors: Don Rebic & Jeff Cubeta; Hosted by Eric Michael Gillett with SPECIAL GUESTS: Kevin Venardos (The Big Apple Circus) and Karen Akers (Nine & Grand Hotel) and FEATURING: Raissa Katona Bennett, Cookie & Clune, Bernard Dotson, Christopher J. Handley, John Koprowski, Valeria Lemon, Kelly McDonald, Pam Palmieri, Maxine Steward, Melanie Vaughan and Nellesa Walthour.
Hosted by the ever charming Eric Michael Gillett and opened by the lovely Raissa Katona Bennett, from the moment the lights went down and these two took the stage one after the other, we all knew we were in good hands. While I was expecting Ms. Akers to be stupendous (and she was) the rest of the show of “students” right on up to seasoned folks who study at Singers Forum was a lovely little gift to us on so many levels. That was just it, this was a show of many levels, many ages, many different kinds of voices and it was all wonderful.
Let me go on record as saying that I believe that everyone who works with Eric Michael comes away from the experience better for it. To hear him introduced some of the folks that he works with, with the pride of a proud papa was lovely. Everyone on the bill was fantastic and, in group shows like this, it is always hard to say this one or that one stood out so, before I highlight a few performances, across the board, everyone on the bill was fantastic! The show was great and really showed the good work that’s being done at Singers Forum.
The gorgeous Valerie Lemon, a seasoned pro, always delivers, and performed a really connected version of “At the Ballet” from A Chorus Line that moved me. Cookie & Clune totally charmed us with “The Grass is Always Greener” and I hear they are doing a show called “A Couple of Broads Sitting Around Singing” which I suspect is a show I’ll be attending based on their one tune performance tonight. Two other folks that Broadway needs to look out for are Christopher “I’m a baritone!)” Handley who had this beautiful tenor voice I will not soon forget. Another STAR in the making, a gal I saw sing with Eric Michael at Feinstein’s, Kelly McDonald, is a young woman going places. I don’t EVER have to hear anyone sing “Taylor the Latte Boy” again BUT, if I did, it would be her version. Talk about taking a song that is sung to death and making it fresh, funny, charming and age appropriate. Just fantastic! AND … what a voice!
Bravo to all who sang, participated and who continue to support Singers Forum. Since this was a benefit show, I will end by saying that if anyone would like to contribute to this fund, which will be used to set up scholarships for some of these most deserving talents, please send your tax-deductible donation to: Singers Forum Foundation, 49 West 24th Street, 4th Floor, NYC 10011 - http://singersforum.org/