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June 18, 2011 There are two acts with about 10 songs in each act. We do a big opening number which we reprise at the end and everyone usually gets to do two songs with a few duets here and there. Because of the nature of the individuals invited to sing, the shows are always very diverse and eclectic in the best possible way. The invite is to try out new tunes and to take chances and explore which brings a whole other level of wonderfulness to these shows. Oh, there is also an intermission where they serve THE most delicious home-made baked goodies and coffee for a little donation that the church then uses for good deeds. These are "salt of the earth", hometown people who LOVE to come out for a show and Sarah and her troupe always deliver. This show was Sean Harkness's first introduction to this venue and he loved them and they REALLY loved him. Who wouldn't! He is such a wonderful performer and truly one of the best musicians NY has to offer. David Vernon and I had the additional pleasure of doing a number with him. Sean is an incredibly generous artist and just a wonderful man. Emily Buttner who I featured in a People You Should Know Show is a powerhouse singer with a beautiful voice and an excellent connection to her lyric. Every time I see her perform she seems to raise her bar a little bit higher. She did a few duets with John Babock who has a spectacular voice and who also got huge WHOOPS for his two solos, "On the Street Where You Live" and "A Bit of Earth" from The Secret Garden which he starred in as a kid on Broadway. Janice Hall and Sarah Rice are two of the loveliest legit voices working today but both of them are able to step out of the "legit lady" persona and present funny tunes, operatic tunes, tunes in foreign languages ... .you name it. What they both do that I really love and appreciate is give the audience a sense of what they will be singing about when they do sing in another language. Both of these Screen Gems did incredible readings prior to delivering their fantastic numbers so their spots were also very special tonight. Another favorite of mine is Rich Flanders. This is a gentleman who has won numerous awards, the most prestigious of which is the Will Rogers Cowboy Award. His album, "Yondering, Songs of the American West" (fantastic!) won the 2008 Album of the Year Award from the Academy of Western Artists. He's the real deal. He is an "earth father" who puts his beautiful heart on his sleeve every time I hear him sing. As if this isn't enough ... there's ME ... no, I'm kidding ... this evening, there was also the divine David Vernon doing a duet with Sarah on "Pure Imagination" and then killing the audience with a sexy guitar/vocal on "How Long Has This Been Going On" and then stunning us all with his rendition of "Bring Him Home" ... WOW! This is a singer like no one else I have ever heard. He in just so totally "in" his music. To me he's "other worldly" and a very special talent. Add to all of this the Musical Direction and incredible playing by Paul Stephan and this was a helluva show folks. The cast changes monthly as does the Musical Director so this too make this series a long running hit up there. It's different every time.. |