A Wonderful Afternoon with Christine Ebersole and Billy StritchBroadway diva and two-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole wowed her devoted fans in a 5 pm concert on Sunday January 15 at the Marines' Memorial Club in San Francisco. The ballroom was crowded with extra chairs to acuminate her many fans. She was ably assisted by Billy Stritch on piano and in the vocal duets.
Christine Ebersole is one of the most gifted performers of the Broadway stage today. She is elegant and displays a breezy and positive approach in every song she sings. The artist did a wonderful mix of Broadway and jazz tunes during the 80-minute concert. Patter was minimal but she did tell an amusing story about her last name. She said in German it meant "soul of a wild boar." She even made fun of Billy Stritch's birth state, Texas, which in Latin meant "death penalty." Billy retorted by saying he was born in Sugarland, Texas, which is known for a local prison located near the city. Christine replied with the slogan, "Build it and they will come."
Christine Ebersole demonstrated remarkable versatility in such numbers as "There's a Small Hotel" and "They Say It's Wonderful." Her rendition of "My Ship" from Lady in the Dark was wonderful, flavored with agile jazz styling, and she even cupped her hands over her mouth to replicate a jazzy trumpet sound. The artist's sensitive acting was revealed with her reading of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." She was sublime singing "Sunday in New York" and "My Favorite Things" from the duo's latest album, Sunday in New York. She did a wicked take-off of Jeannette MacDonald by trilling and pouncing through "Beyond the Blue Horizon," originally from the 1930 Paramount musical film Monte Carlo.
Billy Stritch provided flavorful assistance in several of the numbers. The two were hilarious singing an early Irving Berlin tune, "Slumming on Park Avenue," in a '20s singing style. Billy came into his own singing "Let's
Take a Walk around the Park" and "A Shine on Your Shoes." As an encore, Christine Ebersole reprised her Tony Award-winning performance in Grey Gardens by singing the poetically transcendent "Will You?." This was an afternoon to remember.____________________
CHRISTINE EBERSOLE CLOSES OUT THE CABARET SEASON
The dynamic due – Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch are an amazing combination on stage. The minute they were announced, there was thunderous applause and hoots and hollers. The same thing happened when Bassist Daniel Fabricant was announced. Fabricant is probably the most sought after musician in town, and deserves all the applause that he gets.
The show was called “Sunday in New York”, but it turned out to be “Sunday in San Francisco”. Ebersole, who is warm, funny and charming made the City her own with comments about life in Sf. She had some really funny quips. “Texas is the Latin word for ‘Death Penalty’. “Before I got here, I checked out the gay.com status,” She explained the meaning of her name. “My Dad said that the name Ebersole means the soul of a wild Boar,” She also told about the meaning of ‘Winnetka’ – “Its Indian and means ‘Affluent Gentile.’ She kids, I think.
Besides having one of the most expressive and charming singing styles, Ebersole also has great stage presence. She is so calm and so at ease. Nothing seems to ruffle her, -- except when my Cell phone played a little musical ditty during “Lullaby of Broadway” just as she sang the words “Come on and Listen to” -- It was then that my phone went dee da dee. If looks could kill – I would be dead. Oh well, sweetness only goes so far. I don’t think see knew it was my phone – but she did zero in on the direction of my table. They should warn you before the show starts. I forget things.
Here is a sample of the evenings fare: Before launching into “A Small Hotel” – Ebersole said: “Oh we are in a small hotel”. Then she sang the terrific Rodgers and Hart song from the musical “On Your Toes”. Other highlights were “They Say It’s Wonderful” (Gershwin” sung by Gene Kelley in ‘An American in Paris’. Stritch did a solo of the Roy Turk/Fred Ahlert song “Walking My Baby Back Home”. Ebersole jived the room with the Nat King Cole favorite “Hit That Jive Jack”. She really melted the Gold Leaf off of the room with“Lullaby of Broadway” (Harry Warren) from 42nd Street. And Stritch burned the drapes off the windows with a rousing “We’re in the Money”. Stritch said at the end of the show – “I have to say, you’re the best audience we’ve ever
had.”The evening ends too soon with Ebersole’s haunting version of “Not While I’m Around” from Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Sadly this was the last Cabaret show this season. But, Marilyn Levinson – the Czarina of Cabaret is sure to come up with another boffo season of entertainment for us in Grand venues next
season.____
Also: a review of Nnenna Freelon's concert by Richard Connema
www.talkinbroadway.com - 3/09
The fabulous jazz singer Nnenna Freelon made her one and only San Francisco appearance at the Marines Memorial Club on Sunday March 8th before a full house of jazz fans. Backed by Joel Holmes on piano, Beverly Botsford on percussion, Adonis Rose on drums and Wayne Batchelor on bass it was a dynamic two hours of pure modern jazz and the beautiful voice of Nnenna Freelon. This artist has one of the best voices in jazz; it's pure and bright and capable of more shadings than almost anyone else's.
Ms. Freelon put a fresh new frame on a couple of Cole Porter standards. Her distinctive voice was marvelous in the unusual arrangement of Porter's "I Love You," with Beverly Botsford using every kind of metal chimes this side of Marrakech in the background. The singer was marvelously funky in Porter's"Get Out of Town."
Nnenna Freelon sang a soulful rendition of "Meaning of the Blues" and was great in a slow arrangement of "If I Only Had a Brain" from Wizard of Oz. Her heartfelt rendition of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" was awesome and I have never heard such a melodic sound coming from this artist as when she sang "America the Beautiful."
The singer told the packed house that "I have wanted to sing this next song in San Francisco for a long time," and she looked into the crowd that contained a lot of gay men and started to sing "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story. The quartet played a torrid tribal beat when she sang "Body and Soul," and Adonis Rose on drums was terrific in a solo during the song. The marvelous quartet shined in a modern jazz version of "What Is This Thing Called Love." Nnenna also displayed sublime scat singing in "Sometimes I'm Happy."
Nnenna Freelon has a voice reminiscent of Diahann Carroll and Ella Fitzgerald. However, she finds ways to make the vocal improvisational art bend in her own matchless manner. She is a gem among jazz singers today.
Bay Area Cabaret will be presenting Judy Butterfield at 2 pm and Ann Hampton Callaway at 5 pm at the Marines Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco on Sunday May 17th. For tickets call 415-392-4400 or visit www.bayareacabaret.org for more information.
And: a review of Nnenna Freelon's 3/8/09 show by Lee Hartgrave on beyondchron.com:
Standing Ovation for Jazz Artist Nnenna Freelon; On the Town and Under it!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚ Mar. 13‚ 2009______________________
A POWERHOUSE EVENING AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM
Nnenna Freelon is one of those rare singers that have an uncanny ability to create anticipation and suspense. You hang on to every word. Freelon opened the show with her award winning jazz quartet showing off their virtuoso techniques, improvising in “What is This Thing Called Love?”
Then, the star entered. A slim dynamo in a black pencil skirt. She has rightly been compared to Ella Fitzgerald for her vocal expertise, and has all the glamour of Diana Ross, plus the crystal clear diction of an Eartha Kitt. Hear her roll her r’s. Her strong voice belts out heartbreak songs with promises of new love. It’s a spicy blend that floats across the room.
Freelon also has a great sense of humor. She has fun with “I Feel Pretty” as a tribute to the men of San Francisco. Freelon was afraid that it would be a“Cabaret” audience, but found the audience to be warm and friendly. They were more than that. They loved her.
Love is fragile – and Freelon sang a soulful version of “Body & Soul”. It obviously was one of her signature numbers. Equally impressive were two brand new arrangements that are products of her recent stay in Davis.“Smile” by Charlie Chaplin and “America” (From sea to shining sea).
Freelon’s quartet was given the opportunity to show off their talents including a dazzling drum solo. Cole Porter suited her style very well with“Blue” and “The Drinks On Me.” She received an enthusiastic standing ovation at the end of her show, and in keeping with current encore etiquette she then did a reluctant but planned last number that produced another standing ovation. But, alas – there would be no more encores forthcoming. Again – Marilyn Levinson, San Francisco’s premiere Cabaret Producer knows where to find the talent. She always gets a perfect show together.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: David Perry, PR
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For hi-resolution photographs of the performers, click here.Bay Area Cabaret Jazzes it Up for 2008-2009 Concert Season
Fifth Season celebrates Broadway and All that Jazz
Two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas opens season on November 16
9 September 2008 – San Francisco, CA: Bay Area Cabaret has announced that it will follow-up last season’s resoundingly successful series of “Perfect Pairings” duet concerts with an illustrious line-up of nationally renowned Broadway and jazz divas. Bay Area Cabaret’s fifth season will kick-off on Sunday, November 16 at 7pm with popular Broadway veteran Christine Andreas celebrating the great women of musical theatre at the historic Empire Ballroom of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. For the first time Bay Area Cabaret will team up with City Arts and Lectures as they present Barbara Cook in concert as well as in conversation with Steve Winn on Tuesday, December 2 at 8pm at Herbst Theatre. The season continues with 2-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole w/Billy Stritch on Sunday, January 18 at 5 p.m. at the Marines Memorial Commandants Room, Nnenna Freelon and her jazz trio at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm; and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway also at the Commandants Room on Sunday, May 17 at 5pm. Individual tickets to all shows are available at www.bayareacabaret.org <http://www.bayareacabaret.org> or City Box Office (415) 392-4400. For Bay Area Cabaret 2008-2009 season subscriptions or for more information including audio and video samples, visit our home page or call (415) 927-INFO.
“This season, we have selected from the Broadway and jazz fields a sampling of our nation’s best cabaret artists – those who possess the ability to enter into an emotional dialogue with each and every member of their audience," said Marilyn Levinson, Bay Area Cabaret founder and Executive Director. "Initial response to our season has been incredibly strong and we have more subscriptions than ever before!”
CHRISTINE ANDREAS with DAVID BURNHAM — “Here's to the Ladies”
Sunday, November 16 - 7 pm – SOLD OUT! 4 p.m. show added
Empire Ballroom, Sir Francis Drake Hotel, San Francisco
Tickets: $45/subscribers $40/students under 25: $25
Two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas, best known to San Francisco audiences for her highly acclaimed performance in Light in the Piazza, is renowned as one of America’s finest cabaret performers. According to the New York Times, "She delicately kills with the sheer beauty of her voice.” From New York's Algonquin, Café Carlyle and Carnegie Hall, Ms. Andreas will perform the San Francisco debut of her tribute to seven great women of the theatre: Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Barbara Cook, Angela Lansbury, Gertrude Lawrence and Barbra Streisand, Joining her to open this season will be her dazzling Piazza co-star David Burnham, who recently performed the role of Fiyero in the Broadway-company production of Wicked. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel's newly renovated Empire Ballroom will host this very special tribute event.
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BARBARA COOK — “A Celebration in Conversation and Song”
Tuesday, December 2 - 8 pm
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Tickets: $50/subscribers $45
The legendary Barbara Cook launches Bay Area Cabaret’s first collaboration with City Arts & Lectures in this special event in which she will perform selections from Sondheim, Rodgers, and Berlin and also participate in an in-depth interview with beloved San Francisco Chronicle arts and culture critic Steven Winn. The New York Times raved that Ms. Cook “shares the wisdom she has gained in 80 well-lived years with a tenderness and honesty that could break your heart and mend it all at once." Bay Area Cabaret has secured a limited number of orchestra and box seats at a discount off regular prices to be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis to season subscribers.
____CHRISTINE EBERSOLE with BILLY STRITCH – “Broadway's Best”
Sunday, January 18 - 5pm
Commandants Room, Marines Memorial Club, San Francisco
Tickets: $50/subscribers $45
Following two sold-out shows last season and her performance this fall with the San Francisco Symphony at Carnegie Hall’s opening night gala, Christine Ebersole returns to the Commandants Room of the Marines Memorial Club in a brand new Broadway and standards show with Liza Minelli’s accompanist Billy Stritch. Ms. Ebersole has starred opposite Richard Burton in Camelot and with Dianne Wiest and Sam Waterson in The Three Sisters. The San Francisco Chronicle raved that this versatile two-time Tony winner (Grey Gardens and 42nd Street) and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member "light(s) up the little spaces in a song that others leave unexplored." Ms. Ebersole’s San Francisco appearance marks her final cabaret performance prior to her opening in the highly anticipated Broadway production of “Blithe Spirit” opposite Rupert Evert and Angela Lansbury.
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NNENNA FREELON – “An Uncommon Standard”
Sunday, March 8 - 5 pm
Crystal Ballroom, Marines Memorial Club, San Francisco
Tickets: $45/subscribers $40
Six-time Grammy nominee Nnenna Feelon and her jazz trio make their Crystal Ballroom debut with an electric mix of Great American jazz standards, ranging from George and Ira Gershwin to Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed “there is no doubt that Freelon has now positioned herself in the very top echelon." For something truly extraordinary, the audience will be treated to this Monterey Jazz All Star vocalist with 11 recordings to her credit who Aretha Franklin has called "very hip." Freelon will make this exclusive San Francisco appearance following a 5-night run at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis, California.
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ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – “At Last”
Sunday, May 17 - 5pm
Commandants Room, Marines Memorial Club, San Francisco
Tickets: $45/subscribers $40
Bay Area Cabaret favorite Ann Hampton Callaway celebrates her much-anticipated album of love songs - At Last, Landslide, Comes Love, Over the Rainbow – which is set for release on Valentines Day, 2009. A tremendously versatile artist, Ms. Callaway has been Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actress in Swing, written songs for Barbara Streisand, composed the well-known "Nanny" theme, been featured on Larry King Live, Rosie O’Donnell, sang in Robert DeNiro’s “The Good Shepherd” and hosted a public television show, "Singer's Spotlight." The New York Times has described her as a "pop-jazz powerhouse who interpolates sustained high-voltage scat passages without a trace of discomfort and makes a song grow larger and larger until it nearly bursts at the seams.” At the end of the show the audience will be invited to compose an original song with Ms. Callaway.
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Bay Area Cabaret (BAC) is a not-for profit, all-volunteer organization, which presents extraordinary performances in a variety of elegant venues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through its concert series and wide-ranging outreach activities, BAC aims to expand the definition of cabaret and broaden the audience for intimate entertainment, offering Great American Songbook entries from Harold Arlen and Stephen Sondheim to Abba and Stevie Wonder. Chronicle readers voted Bay Area Cabaret’s series the Bay Area’s “Best Concert Evenings.” Last year’s season, “Perfect Pairings,” began with the West Coast premiere of Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker’s innovative cabaret evening “Life is a Duet.” The season continued with performances by jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey; “The Rose” songwriter Amanda McBroom & Grammy winner Melissa Manchester; and Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch. Past seasons have featured Maureen McGovern, Barbara Cook, Karen Mason, Broadway stars Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, Darius de Haas, opera divas Patricia Racette and Karen Slack, and multi-platinum songwriter and jazz vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway. For single ticket call (415) 392-4400 (City Box Office); for subscriptions call (415) 927-INFO.