#51
Posted: 5/1/05 at 8:37am
Oh, no. I missed meeting you again... and now I realize that you were at the table right across the ailse. Sigh. NEXT event, for sure.
And just because there are TWO Robbie threads going and I don't want anyone to miss what JRB wrote, I am taking the liberty (and trusting that he won't mind) of cutting and pasting his review of last night into this thread, too. Here goes:
BROADWAY, LISTEN UP---it's WAY past due you hire Rob Maitner A.S.A.F.P.!!!! - jrb_actor May 1, 03:54 AM
I went to Rob Maitner's cabaret expecting fully to be entertained.
Why do you ask? Oh, I'd seen him in BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION in his fantastic performance. I'd seen his brilliant Birthday cabaret. I'd even seen him put ALL of the other Broadway performers of SO3 (save Jennifer Holliday, Barbara Walsh, and a few others) to shame.
But, NOTHING prepared me for the performance I received on April 30, 2005 at The Duplex.
I watched an ARTIST breathe life into the essence of "cabaret". Many people criticized La Verruso when he went to task against cabarets. Well, let's be honest---La Verruso was right about that. Who on earth wants to see an anemic, lifeless collection of leftover Broadway and unknown songs? I don't. And, THANKFULLY, that's the LAST thing you get when you see Rob Maitner perform.
Rob Maitner gives you THEATRE. Yes, T.H.E.A.T.R.E. That which cabaret should be but somehow isn't usually because someone along the way decided that cabaret should be self indulgent bulls***. THANK THE MAKER that Rob Maitner makes THEATRE.
WHO ELSE on this planet could sing "And I Am Telling You" TWO WEEKS after his core audience saw the great Jennifer Holliday perform her masterwork and yet own his version? I'm not talking, "oh, he had a cute idea for how to arrange and present this song"---I'm talking a REAL artist who can take the song and make HIS OWN. By simply applying that magic of acting that somehow escapes much of the landscape in our beloved Broadway these days, ladies and gentlemen.
An artist who can craft a show around ANY collection of standard, Broadway, and pop songs--but, in fact, the PERFECT mix of said songs.
An artist who takes said songs and INFUSES life into them---not gimmicks. Not showyness. Not "hey, aren't I fab doing a benefit", but ART in the true nature of that word.
I'm beyond the ability to put into words what Rob has created---I really should leave that to others---people who are good at being ctitics. I can only say that I saw a unicorn onstage tonite--a UNICORN? YEAH--a rare ****ing creature that Broadway would be LUCKY to get its hands on.
So, BROADWAY---take this SUBTLE hint and cast Rob Maitner NOW, while his fee is still low (he's still a cheap ol whore lol). THE PRODUCERS? You'd be wise to snatch up this talent who could cover probably ANY role in the show---and pleasingly star in any role, too.
Weisslers, you smart, calculated SOBs--hop on this bargain fast! He won't be available in stores. Act Fast Now! If you call in the next 30 minutes, we'll include his fabulous music director/accompanist and his talented boyfriend---all for the same low introductory price! So act now while supplies last!
Otherwise, waste brilliant, genius talent--like we can spare that in this crackpot world.
P.S. If I EVER create my own cabaret (and seeing how I have before and likely will again), I will most definitely be adding Rob Maitner to my list of inspirations---Robbiej and Sandy B! (Sandra Bernhard). I will steal his essence and every sense of how to do things right that I possibly c
And just because there are TWO Robbie threads going and I don't want anyone to miss what JRB wrote, I am taking the liberty (and trusting that he won't mind) of cutting and pasting his review of last night into this thread, too. Here goes:
BROADWAY, LISTEN UP---it's WAY past due you hire Rob Maitner A.S.A.F.P.!!!! - jrb_actor May 1, 03:54 AM
I went to Rob Maitner's cabaret expecting fully to be entertained.
Why do you ask? Oh, I'd seen him in BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION in his fantastic performance. I'd seen his brilliant Birthday cabaret. I'd even seen him put ALL of the other Broadway performers of SO3 (save Jennifer Holliday, Barbara Walsh, and a few others) to shame.
But, NOTHING prepared me for the performance I received on April 30, 2005 at The Duplex.
I watched an ARTIST breathe life into the essence of "cabaret". Many people criticized La Verruso when he went to task against cabarets. Well, let's be honest---La Verruso was right about that. Who on earth wants to see an anemic, lifeless collection of leftover Broadway and unknown songs? I don't. And, THANKFULLY, that's the LAST thing you get when you see Rob Maitner perform.
Rob Maitner gives you THEATRE. Yes, T.H.E.A.T.R.E. That which cabaret should be but somehow isn't usually because someone along the way decided that cabaret should be self indulgent bulls***. THANK THE MAKER that Rob Maitner makes THEATRE.
WHO ELSE on this planet could sing "And I Am Telling You" TWO WEEKS after his core audience saw the great Jennifer Holliday perform her masterwork and yet own his version? I'm not talking, "oh, he had a cute idea for how to arrange and present this song"---I'm talking a REAL artist who can take the song and make HIS OWN. By simply applying that magic of acting that somehow escapes much of the landscape in our beloved Broadway these days, ladies and gentlemen.
An artist who can craft a show around ANY collection of standard, Broadway, and pop songs--but, in fact, the PERFECT mix of said songs.
An artist who takes said songs and INFUSES life into them---not gimmicks. Not showyness. Not "hey, aren't I fab doing a benefit", but ART in the true nature of that word.
I'm beyond the ability to put into words what Rob has created---I really should leave that to others---people who are good at being ctitics. I can only say that I saw a unicorn onstage tonite--a UNICORN? YEAH--a rare ****ing creature that Broadway would be LUCKY to get its hands on.
So, BROADWAY---take this SUBTLE hint and cast Rob Maitner NOW, while his fee is still low (he's still a cheap ol whore lol). THE PRODUCERS? You'd be wise to snatch up this talent who could cover probably ANY role in the show---and pleasingly star in any role, too.
Weisslers, you smart, calculated SOBs--hop on this bargain fast! He won't be available in stores. Act Fast Now! If you call in the next 30 minutes, we'll include his fabulous music director/accompanist and his talented boyfriend---all for the same low introductory price! So act now while supplies last!
Otherwise, waste brilliant, genius talent--like we can spare that in this crackpot world.
P.S. If I EVER create my own cabaret (and seeing how I have before and likely will again), I will most definitely be adding Rob Maitner to my list of inspirations---Robbiej and Sandy B! (Sandra Bernhard). I will steal his essence and every sense of how to do things right that I possibly c
Sueleen Gay: "Here you go, Bitch, now go make some fukcing lemonade." 10/28/10
