Cabaret and Broadway performers have always been at the forefront, lending a hand for the neediest of causes. They've also made for some strange bedfellows. Such was the case at the Kit Kat Klub, on May 4, when "The Lion King" star Jason Raize and legendary PR czar Bobby Zarem put together a very eclectic evening to raise money for the American Red Cross to aid the Kosovo refugees. The club was turned into a cabaret-concert hall. Underwritten and co-sponsored by multi-talented songwriter-entrepreneur Denise Rich, and Keith Barish, the SRO event was packed with New York's tony A-list, fashion models, and throngs from the Broadway and cabaret crowd.
Present were French chanteuse Yanna Avis, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, singer Stephanie Cheek, disco's Gloria Gaynor, Broadway-rock star Deborah Gibson, cabaret sweetheart Mary Cleere Haran, rock and radio idol Isaac Hayes, revered concert pianist Byron Janis, Metropolitan Opera diva Aprile Millo, band singer Quinn Lemley, swing crooner Tom Postilio, PR whizzes Pete Sanders and Judy Katz, pianist Jerry Scott, "Fascinatin' Rhythm" 's Sara Ramirez, "Ragtime's 10-year-old Dara Bloomfield. Not to mention Russian ballet star Vladimir Malakhov, Broadway producers Fran and Barry Weissler, entrepreneurs Judy and Sam Peabody, producers Jerry Harrison and David Macarthur of Gold Herringbone Productions (who flew in from Hawaii to film the event), and music icon Quincy Jones.
Public Advocate Mark Green and Rep. Carolyn Maloney made stirring speeches; UN Ambassador Richard Sklar read a message from the President and Mrs. Clinton; and Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia poignantly recalled the beauty of her country when she was four years old.
The plethora of musical highlights on this magical night included Tony Corbiscello's absolutely sensational, 18-piece big band rocking the rafters; the swing tunes had half the room on its feet jitterbugging. Tom Postilio, a true big-band singer, was in top form fronting the band and fielding endless requests. (An impromtu plea for Bobby Darin's version of "Mack the Knife" brought in some big bucks and gave Tom his best moment and a rousing standing ovation.)
Mary Cleere Haran, sharing the stage with Oscar-nominated pianist-composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, showed what makes a pro. After enduring the madness of a celebrity "entrance" causing a flurry of activity, blinding flashbulbs, etc., as well as sound problems during her first number, she totally charmed the crowd with Gershwin tunes. By the time she closed with a bluesy "Stairway to Paradise," the room was on its feet and the cheers were deafening.
Deborah Gibson's "On My Own" and her pop-rock anthem "Only in Dreams" were lively high spots. Argentinean woodwind artist Jorge Alfaro's lilting sounds were superb. Rock legend Isaac Hayes spoke movingly of displaced children and homeless senior citizens being helped by the Red Cross, then offered a poignant reading of the Bacharach-David classic "Windows of the World" and Sting's "Fragile," creating a pin-dropper moment.
Classical concert pianist Byron Janis treated everyone to a sample of the theme from his forthcoming Broadway musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," creating another magical moment. Sara Ramirez ("Fascinatin' Rhythm"), who brought her own loud cheering section, belted "Meadowlark" to the heavens, almost rivaling Betty Buckley. When amazing Met soprano Aprile Millo sang "You'll Never Walk Alone," there were few dry eyes in the house. Finally, disco diva Gloria Gaynor, in top form, simply tore the roof off the place singing her tour de force anthem, "I Will Survive," which quickly turned into a wildly cheering sing-along as the dance floor filled in a moment eerily recalling Studio 54.
This fund-raiser was so special I can't ignore it or the cause. One only has to pick up a newspaper or turn on television to be moved by the plight of the Kosovo refugees and their unspeakable suffering. To help, call 1-800 HELP NOW (and read my column for more fund-raisers in the works in the cabaret community). Again, kudos to Jason Raize and Bobby Zarem-definitely two lion kings!
Ultimate jazz singer-pianist Barbara Carroll has returned for her spring outing at Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle. As always, that's a cause to celebrate. This New York treasure has set a standard of excellence which not only entertains, but teaches.
In Carroll's hands, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern medleys evoke the spirit of another era as she adds subtle fusions and modulations that mesmerize. Thelonius Monk's "In Walked Bud" is given a silky cool, upbeat jazzy reading that can only be described as inventive jazz. Her superior piano stylings and warm vibrato punctuate "Getting Some Fun Out of Life," one of her staples. She creates a bucolic moment with a riveting, definitive piano treatment of "Just the Way You Look Tonight" that takes this evergreen to new heights through her hypnotic treatment. Neophytes (and pros) can learn a lot from Barbara Carroll. She's there through June 26.
Celebrating 39 years on "As the World Turns," soap diva Eileen Fulton returned to cabaret with a new show at Judy's Chelsea last week. This proved to be Fulton's most ambitious show to date. She looked stunning in an eclectic show displaying a wide range of interesting styles, coming from a woman with a lot to say. Tackling arias like "As If We Never Said Goodbye," from "Sunset Blvd." and Sondheim's "Losing My Mind" with brio, she was potent and dramatic. Peppering her setups with some very amusing anecdotes, this southern charmer held the SRO room of idolators in the palm of her hand. In spite of some very demanding tunes, this medium-voiced thrush proved best on a well-delivered "Blame It on My Youth" and a simple reading of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing." I might suggest more vulnerable moments like these. Overall, this soap vixen can get away with almost anything she wants.
In the clubs: Acclaimed cabaret favorite Jeff Harnar returns to The FireBird with his new show, "Sammy Cahn All the Way," Thursdays through Saturdays, at 9 pm and 11 pm, and Sundays, at 7 pm and 9 pm, running May 20-June 6.... Multi-award-winner Georga Osborne brings her new show, "In a Different Key," to Don't Tell Mama, Tuesdays, May 18, 25, at 10:30 pm; Fri., May 21, at 6 pm; and June 3, 5, and 6 at various times.... Newcomer Brad Linard's show "The Gist of the Gemini," with musical director Rob LaRocca, is at The Triad on May 28 and June 4 and 5, at 10:30 pm.... Richard Barclay sings at Judy's Chelsea, Thursday through Saturday, May 13, 14, and 15, at 9 pm.... On weekends, romantic French crooner Marc Lauren (just signed to a multi-album deal with Sony/Mercury in France) sings with the Supper Club dance band. q