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CAARET HOTLINE ONLINE
#020103 - Thursday, January 17, 2002
Since 1990 Your First, Best, and Only Source of Cabaret News
If it's anything to do
with cabaret, you'll probably read it here first!
Just when you thought
all the excitement had gone out of cabaret, two big events, both of
them unfortunate, take place to shake the cabaret community. On Monday
morning, January 14th, I sent out the following bulletin to members
of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE:
FIREBIRD CAFE REPORTED
TO BE CLOSING AT END OF JANUARY
We had received reports
from several sources that THE FIREBIRD CAFE, the intimate cabaret
space that is part of THE FIREBIRD RESTAURANT on West 46th Street
in NYC would discontinue regular cabaret presentations at the end
of January 2002. Reached Sunday night, manager Jim Pallone would only
say that "nothing is official" and "the final decision has not been
made." However, at least two acts booked to appear in February have
been told that the room is closing and one has already re-booked at
another cabaret room in town.
Since that time there
have been further denials of the final closing of the cabaret, but
several more acts were told that their shows scheduled for February,
March and even April would be "on hold." They were told that there
would be some alterations made to the space, and there was a possibility
that they would resume shows later in the spring.
I must at this point give
credit to Jim Pallone who did his best to manage the FireBird Cafe
after Erv Raible suddenly resigned a year ago. It is our impression
that Jim did not always have the full support of the management of
the operation, yet he never complained and always did his best to
keep this elegant boite running. He never wavered from his goal of
presenting top quality entertainment. His kindness, attention to detail,
and concern for both artist and audience was always 100%. BISTRO &
MAC Award folks, please take note. Some type of recognition is due
here.
Then, on Tuesday morning,
January 15th, I send put another sad bulletin to the folks who have
joined CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, as follows:
JEROME RECORDS FOUNDER
CHARGED WITH GRAND LARCENY
Many in the cabaret community
were stunned Tuesday morning (1/15/02) to read in the NY POST that
John Loan (aka John Jerome) was charged on Monday with grand larceny
and criminal possession of stolen property in connection with reportedly
over $3-million in funds misdirected from his employer, Alliance Capital
Management. It is alleged that Mr. Loan used his position as Special
Events officer at the firm to pay for phony invoices for services
never performed from a company that he set up called "Beautiful Parties."
According to police, this practice went on for a period of four years,
and was uncovered by a recent internal audit. It is reported that
the funds were used in large part for charitable causes, including
setting up a foundation for Downs Syndrome, donations to the Gay &
Lesbian Community Center and the Gay Men's Health Crisis. He also
contributed heavily through donations and advertising placement to
cabaret causes, benefits, projects and publications, including CABARET
HOTLINE ONLINE.
JEROME RECORDS burst on
the cabaret scene about two years ago, and its roster of performers
includes Kristopher McDowell, Phillip Officer, Karen Mason, Jeff Harnar,
Carolyn Montgomery, Laurie Krauz, Stephanie Pope and others. The firm
was about to release a new CD by Julie Wilson.
Since that story went
out there have been several new items that have come to light, including
a number of friends who have come forward in support of Mr. Loan/Jerome,
recounting stories of his generosity in times of extreme need. While
the Gay Mens Health Crisis claimed that it could find no record of
donations by Mr. Loan or JEROME RECORDS, the GENESIUS GUILD stated
that his support of that organization was "minor." Other organizations
that reportedly received donations, The Gay & Lesbian Community Center,
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and MAC (Manhattan Association of
Cabarets & Clubs) had no comment on the situation.
It appears that all who
were recipients of Mr. Loan's largesse were totally unaware of the
source of the funds. In addition to the more than $3-million reportedly
misappropriated, Mr. Loan's salary was said to be in the area of $225,000.00
per year. When confronted about questionable records after an internal
audit, Loan admitted that he had been stealing company money. The
police also say that Mr. Loan admitted that Beautiful Parties was
his company and it had not in fact performed any services for Alliance.
Not yet reported in the
daily newspapers is the number of folks who were counting on JEROME
RECORDS to make their dream of recording a CD possible. Several CDs
have been released under the JEROME label, but a large number more
were in the process of being recorded, or contracts had been completed.
One performer received his contract in the mail on the day of the
arrest. Also unknown at this time is the status of the CDs, tapes
and masters in the JEROME RECORDS possession - it is quite possible
that they will become the property of Alliance Capital or its insurers,
and might even be offered for sale without any of the proceeds going
to the original artists. These are items that will have to be addressed
in the future.
Mr. Loan is currently
being held in jail with a $1-million bail, and is scheduled for a
hearing today. If we have any further news on this matter, we will
be sending it along to you. If you are not a member of CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE, the bulletins we send out will always appear near the top
of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE "Breaking News" page.
They say bad news runs
in threes - I am sort of afraid to see what will be happening next!
If you have any comments to add to the above or thoughts, etc., you
are invited to speak your mind on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MESSAGE
BOARD - please keep in mind that your comments should hold to the
standards of good taste and honesty. Please use your real name - unlike
some other message boards that allow folks to keep their real identities
hidden, and permit all sorts of spiteful and non-constructive comments
to be listed, we check our board often and will remove items that
we feel do not meet our standards.
The Theatre Rhinoceros
will present Noel Coward's DESIGN FOR LIVING, with Coward's music
& lyrics, directed by John Fisher, January 17th through February 16th
(Previews January 17th & 18th at THEATER RHINOCEROS (2926 16th Street,
San Francisco, CA - 415-861-5079). Shows are Wednesdays through Saturdays
at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 pm. There are also Sunday Matinees on
January 17th, February 3rd & 10th at 3:00 pm.
Gregory Toroian and Susan
Matsuki have been booked on the "Joey Reynolds Show," on WOR-AM (710
on the dial). The show airs shortly after midnight, and has the highest
overnight ratings in New York City. Greg and Sue are scheduled for
Friday night, February 1st in the 1:00 am slot. They will preform
live and be interviewed and Sue's fabulous CD, "A Different Take,"
will be played! They will also be plugging their brunch show at ARCI'S
PLACE (450 Park Avenue South, NYC - 212-532-4370 - http://www.arcisplace.com/)
which will be presented on Sunday afternoons in February - the famous
Italian Brunch time. By the way, showtime is at 3:00 pm each week,
so get there for brunch by 1:30 or so. The show on Sunday, February
10th only is at 2:00 pm - please make note of that, since the flier
sent out is in error. These two performers, joined by Jay Leonhart
on bass, will present a different show each week! They sold out each
show in their recent run at JUDY'S CHELSEA (169 Eighth Avenue, NYC
- 212-929-5410 - http://www.judyschelsea.com/),
so make those reservations early.
I have been reorganizing
all my CABARET LINKS on the website, and now we are - CABARET RESOURCES
page (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/LinksResources.shtml).
If you cabaret related non-membership organization or a cabaret related
publication and also have a website that offers a way for cabaret
performers to contact you for information, please send me note with
the correct URL address and your organization/publication name and
home city. If you do not currently have a completed website, but would
like to have your organization/publication's name and e-mail contact
address added in the meantime, please send me that information instead.
There is absolutely NO
CHARGE for this. You need not be a member of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
in order to be listed.
Robin Joyce, Jean Acosta
and Jeanine Tolve join forces on the cabaret stage in their new act,
"Nothing in Common," January 30th and February 1st at DON'T TELL MAMA
(343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/).
Three-woman show spotlights the unique style of each of these gifted
singers. Musical director is Matthew Ward, staging by Daniel Haley.
This is truly a fun show - each girl does a few songs, with trios
featuring all the voices between each set.
Linda Amiel Burns, Director
of The Singing Experience, tells me that the first workshop of the
year, ñ"Love Is In The Air," still has some openings. The workshop
begins on Wednesday evening, January 23rd at The Nola Studios (250
West 54th Street, NYC). The six-session workshop consists of four
rehearsals (January 23rd, 30th, February 6th & 13th) from 6:30 - 9:30
pm, with a performance on February 20th at 7:00 pm at THE IRIDIUM
(1650 Broadway, NYC), and a VideoViewing Party on Wednesday, February
27th. Linda personally conducts and directs the workshops and Paul
Chamlin is the Musical Director. This year marks the 25th Anniversary
year of THE SINGING EXPERIENCE, designed to give aspiring cabaret
and musical theater performers the opportunity to explore their talents,
conquer fear, and develop self-confidence through actually performing
before audiences in a supportive and nurturing environment. For Registration
and information, Tel: 212.595.4379 or e-mail: Singlab@aol.com
website http://www.SingingExperience.com/.
Celebrated Cabaret and
recording artist, Lee Lessack, performs, "Too Marvelous For Words
- The Songs of Johnny Mercer," to the SIMI VALLEY CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
(3050 Los Angeles, Avenue, Simi, CA - 805-581-9940) on Sunday, January
20th at 7:30 PM. Directed by David Galligan with musical arrangements
by John Boswell, the concert, which was recorded LIVE at THE CINEGRILL
at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood,
CA - 323-466-7000) last summer.
Susan Neuffer's acclaimed
"Mysterious Woman" show returns to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th
Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/)
with shows on Monday, January 21st & Friday, January 25th at 7:00
pm, and Sunday, February 10th at 3:00 pm. Director is Lisa Asher,
with Gerry Dieffenbach as musical director. I saw this show a few
weeks back - it certainly has a large share of mystery - and plenty
of greats songs & vocals.
Jude Treder-Wolff continues
at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (342 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-265-8133
- http://www.dannysgrandseapalace.com/)
with her new show "Whistling In The Dark" with remaining shows on
Saturdays in January, the 19th & 26th at 9:15 pm. 50% of the cover
charge will go to benefit the "Twin Tower Fund." There is a more complete
story, with photo, in the "Breaking News" section of the CABARET HOTLINE
ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/).
Barbara Good continues
her cabaret series at THE STIFEL FINE ARTS CENTER (1330 National Road,
Wheeling, WV - 304-242-7700) with her next show on Saturday, January
19th at 8:00 pm. This show is called "Among My Favorite Things," and
features the music of Richard Rodgers.
"David Lahm & Friends"
continues at JUDY'S CHELSEA (169 Eighth Avenue, NYC - 212-929-5410
- http://www.judyschelsea.com/)
spotlighting various composers, and featuring two special guest performers
each week. This Sunday at 5:30 pm, the show originally scheduled for
the 7th will be presented, featuring the music of Frank Loesser and
featuring Elaine Brier & Mitch Ellis. On Monday, January 21st, the
show features the music of Cy Coleman, with vocalists Leslie Anderson
& Jonathan Tomaselli. Finally, on the 28th of January, the music of
Burton Lane, with Kathy Kaefer & Colm Reilly. All shows are at 8:30
pm. Ratzo Harris is on bass at each performance.
By the way, JUDY'S CHELSEA
(169 Eighth Avenue, NYC - 212-929-5410 - http://www.judyschelsea.com/)
will have its THIRD ANNIVERSARY GALA on Monday night, February 4th
at 8:30 pm featuring Judy Kreston & David Lahm with Leslie Anderson,
Elaine Brier, Mitch Ellis, Kimlee Hicks, Kathy Kaefer, Brad Menendez,
Colm Reilly and Jonathan Tomaselli. Be sure to make your reservations
early - this annual event is usually sold out 2 or 3 weeks in advance.
Another Judy, or actually
Tommy Femia as Judy, has Lennie Watts as his special guest on Saturday,
January 19th at 11:00 pm at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street,
NYC - 212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/).
The show is "Judy Garland Live: Judy Sings Broadway" with musical
director David Maiocco. On the 26th, Tommy's guests are Karen Mack
& Michael Holland.
Newcomer Colin Roberts
presents his show "Obsessed" at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (342 West 46th
Street, NYC - 212-265-8133 - http://www.dannysgrandseapalace.com/)
on Sundays, January 20th & 27th at 8:45 pm and Tuesday the 29th at
7:00 pm. Musical director is Paul Chamlin.
Elizabeth Dole continues
her run at DAVENPORT'S (1383 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL -
773-278-1830 - http://www.davenportspianobar.com/)
on Sunday nights at 7:00 pm (not 8:00 as listed on DAVENPORT'S website),
with just two shows left - on the 20th & 27th. There is a review of
her show, with photo, on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/ChiRev2002Doyle.shtml)
by our Chicago correspondent Todd Shuman.
Seth Rudetsky celebrates
the start of the third year of his "Broadway Chatterbox" celebrity
interview show next week Thursday, January 24th at 6:00 pm, with special
guest Matthew Broderick (THE PRODUCERS). Better phone in your reservations
quickly. All proceeds go to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS.
Well, time has flown -
its already 4:00 pm - and now I must get home, get my nap and get
to Seth Rudetsky's 6:00 pm show tonight. His guests are Lynn Ahrens
& Stephen Flaherty. Then I hope to catch a few more shows tonight.
Banner ads are beginning
to sell fast now - For information on banner ads, just send me a note
at banners@svhamstra.com
and I'll send all the details. The special 10% discount for MAC, BACA,
DCCN, CABARET WEST and CCP members is still offered - just order $100
or more worth of advertising, and pay by credit card via PayPal. I'll
send you details. Members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE are also entitled
to discounts or credit on advertising. For information on becoming
a contributing member of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, check at http://svhamstra.com/membership.shtml
or else just send me a note at membership@svhamstra.com
with the single word "membership" in the subject line, and I'll send
all the details.
For information on becoming
a "Special Ruby Member" of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, supporting special
projects and expenses, just send me a note at ruby@svhamstra.com with
the single word "RUBY" in the subject line, and I'll send all the
details as well. Current members can "upgrade" to this level if they
wish.
And that is just about
the way it was.
Hugs & Stuff,
STU
Event listings
are provided for the information of users only. They are not provided
with the intention that users rely upon the information therein for
any purposes. Accordingly, Cabaret Hotline Online, and/or Stuart V.
Hamstra shall under no circumstances be liable for any loss or damage,
including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill or indirect
or consequential loss arising out of any use of or inaccuracies in
this information. All warranties express or implied are excluded to
the fullest extent permissible by law.
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