Why was Elaine Stritch a no-show at Cabaret Convention's "If Love Were All?"

[fredric47]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 12:13pm

Elaine Stritch has made a grievous error of judgment. First she had the curtain time moved up to 6 p.m. for the New York Cabaret Convention's tribute to Noel Coward so that she could make a "special appearance" and then return to her night job at the Walter Kerr Theatre as Madame Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music." But for some unexplained reason, she didn't show up. What makes things even worse, Cabaret Convention producer and master of ceremonies Donald Smith didn't do the sold out audience the courtesy of explaining why Stritchie wasn't appearing. He did refer to her by name at one point in his longwinded commentary intended to evoke the memory of Sir Noel's comic brillance as a master of word play; but that was all. The absence of Ms. Stritch in a special appearance put a damper on the evening and made one wonder whether she has she lost her high held regard for the artist, Sir Noel Coward, who created the Broadway musical, "Sail Away" for her in 1961. Showing this irresponsible side of the real life Mimi was no Paragon on the part of either Ms. Stritch or the "cowardly" messenger Mr. Smith, who concealed her absence from the assembled crowd along with the also missing Christopher Fitzgerald, whom I would have loved to have seen as well. Why bother to print a program in which the disclaimer, subject to availability, is used to get the Cabaret Convention off the hook for any no-shows? Better still, why not make up an outrageous list of participants knowing fullwell that most of them won't appear but at least their names will assist in selling out the house. Part of the problem may have been that for the privilege of appearing at the NY Cabaret Convention no fee is paid to the participating talent. In return, the exposure that the performers receive appearing before the cognoscente of the cabaret world may provide them with lucrative future bookings. Having expressed my disappointment for Ms. Stritch's absence, I will admit that there were some amazing performances by the varied cast of singers who chose to perform some of the more obscure as well as the best known Coward compositions. I was especially impressed by Nancy Anderson's recreation of "The Coconut Girl's song sequence from "The Girl Who Came to Supper," Gregg Edelman's sincere song renditions of two Coward rarities; Sarah Rice's lovely coloratura voice (I had lost track of this original Johanna from Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" after her 1979 Broadway engagement. How wonderful to find her in excellent voice after all of these years!), Sidney Myer's deadpan but droll rendition of "A Bar on the Piccolo Marina," and Simon Green, whose thrilling voice, evokes Noel Coward in a modern day setting.

[nealb1]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 6:35pm

I'm sure there was a very good reason why she couldn't make it. She's a total pro, and wouldn't, simply not show up. There had to have been a good reason. Artists and schedules are always subject to change.

Sounds like you enjoyed the event.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:02pm

I understand your disappointment, but:

"The absence of Ms. Stritch in a special appearance put a damper on the evening and made one wonder whether she has she lost her high held regard for the artist, Sir Noel Coward, who created the Broadway musical, "Sail Away" for her in 1961. "

Did you really wonder that? That Stritch suddenly thought, "Hey, you know, I think I've lost my high held regard for Coward, so I think I won't show up tonight"? Or that she needs her name put out there for "lucrative future bookings"?

You're onto something regarding the "no fee" thing, though. Performers will often agree to any manner of benefits, tributes, etc, as long as they have an out, should a money gig or other comparatively pressing matter come up. Stritch is in her 80's. She may not have felt up to it and ought not to be deemed "irresponsible" because she didn't show. Cut her a break.

Sounds like you're the one who's made "a grievous error of judgment", sitting in judgement of a long-time professional.

Also, "cowardly" messenger? Really? A bad play on words to insult someone who probably has no control over any of it?

Glad you enjoyed the show otherwise.
Updated On: 10/9/10 at 07:02 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:04pm

Bravo, Ghostlight2!

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:08pm

" ...I've lost my high held regard for Coward, so I think I won't show up tonight"

I'm going to use that the next time I feel like taking a personal day. =P

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:47pm

If Sir Noel were alive today, I have a feeling this is what he would say:

"Do be a dear boy, Little Freddy, and shut your malodorous, dribbling pie-hole, or I shall be forced to plug it with a purple dildo of such gargantuan proportions you might never ever dribble again."

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:40am

Bravo, PJ.

[amoni]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 2:45pm

Maybe the check bounced.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/10/10 at 3:30pm

The reason why she didn't show up is absolutely none of your business. What makes you think you are entitled to a reason in the first place. She was out, that is all you need to know, and there is no need to be so dramatic about it.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 3:26pm

For the record, Elaine Stritch did not have the time of the Cabaret Convention moved up to 6 p.m. to accommodate her 'special appearance.' For years, 6 o'clock has been the regular starting time for the Convention. Also, the Convention has included Stritch's name in their lineups in the past, and she's been a no-show then, too. Why this happens, year after year, who knows? But it's hardly news anymore.
Updated On: 10/11/10 at 03:26 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 3:46pm

In the past, Stritch has bailed on benefits that wouldn't pay her "expenses": makeup artist, hairdresser, dry cleaning bill.

I'm not saying that is why she did it this time, but she has a history.