cabarets/ piano bars question

[stella985]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 11:06am

Ok so I'm not sure how to phrase this question so it might come out a little oddly (sorry). I was wondering if there were still places (like cabarets, clubs, or something) where people did sang and did shows? Like where you could see someone just starting out? Does that even exist anymore? Or like the Carlyle only cheaper and with people who weren't established yet? I've looked at the websites for some places like Don't Tell Mama and it seems like now they're mostly stand up comics and stuff. Ok, sorry again if that made no sense, but hopefully someone will understand what I'm asking.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:37pm

Check out Helen's. I believe it's somewhere in Chelsea.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 12:46pm

The Duplex is a great one.

[Bcutrell]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 1:28pm

Hey there--
I host a weekly open-mic party at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe (www.westbankcafe.com). I used to host MOSTLY SONDHEIM at The Duplex, but just opened this new show last night, actually. Shoshana Bean from WICKED was there, Lauren Molina from SWEENEY was there, cast members from THE LION KING were there, Jana Robbins was there, cast members from PHANTOM were there. Anyone can get up and sing, though, so it's really fun. Some people are great, some people aren't so much! It doesn't matter, though, because it's just a big Friday night party! You should stop in sometime.

Below I've copied the press release that went out a couple weeks ago. It should give you all the info you need.
--Brandon


THE AFTER PARTY

an informal midtown schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined

Hosted by Brandon Cutrell and Alysha Umphress
with Ray Fellman at the piano and Sarajean Devenport

Every Friday, 10:30pm – 2am

NEW YORK – The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to announce THE AFTER PARTY, an informal social gathering for the theatrically inclined. Every Friday from 10:30pm till 2am, join hosts BRANDON CUTRELL (MAC & Bistro Award winner) and ALYSHA UMPHRESS (XL Star), as well as RAY FELLMAN (Captain Louie) at the piano and SARAJEAN DEVENPORT behind the bar, for this weekly party in the theatre district. There is no cover charge and no minimum. Come and sing yourself as the mic is always open, or sit back and enjoy a cocktail with friends. Located just blocks from the Great White Way, you never know who might drop in.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located downstairs, within The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd St at 9th Avenue. There is a full bar and bar menu available, and reservations are not necessary for this event.

BRANDON CUTRELL is a Bistro Award and two-time MAC Award-winner. New York credits: Broadway By The Year at Town Hall, The 2nd Annual Broadway Unplugged Concert at Town Hall, Pippin (with Ben Vereen and Rosie O’Donnell), La Gioconda at TheatreSource, David Friedman’s King Island Christmas and Liz Swados’ Waiting For Lefty. National: Theatre of the Stars, Goodspeed Musicals, the Human Race Theatre and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. For nearly two years, Brandon was the original host of the MAC Award nominated show, Mostly Sondheim. Last December, Brandon made his debut in the world-famous Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel. Last month, Brandon made his solo debut at Feinstein’s at the Regency, New York’s legendary nightclub on Park Avenue. Please visit www.BrandonCutrell.com.

ALYSHA UMPHRESS, a recent graduate of The Boston Conservatory, made a splash last year at the Chelsea bar, XL, winning their American Idol-type competition, XL Star. She recently opened for Diana Krall at the Fujitsu Jazz Festival, soloed along side Carlos Santana at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium and performed with the Boston Pops. Regional roles include the Witch in Into the Woods, Trina in Falsettos and Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress. Alysha is the recipient of two Bay Area Theatre Critics Awards for her work in Rags and FAB! She has belted out the National Anthem for The Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and San Jose Sharks.

RAY FELLMAN recently made his Off-Broadway debut when he was handpicked by Stephen Schwartz to musical direct his off-Broadway musical, Captain Louie. Other Musical Director credits include The Tutor by Wood/Gerle (59 E. 59th), Reluctant Pilgrim (The Barrow Group), Blood Drive: A Musical Triptych by Sheinkin/Derfner (workshop at the O’Neill Theater Center) and Amahl and the Night Visitors (national tour directed by David Aiken). Ray has been seen behind the piano in The Storefront Theatre’s New Mondays (with Bill Russell and Emily Skinner), No Reservations (starring Brandon Cutrell with special guests Karen Mason and Shoshana Bean), Broadway Downtown (with Kristy Cates) and We Miss Nancy: The Storefront Sings Lamott (with Liz McCartney). He has also served as accompanist for Utah Festival Opera Company, The Opera Company of Brooklyn, Mid America Productions at Carnegie Hall (with John Rutter) and A Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony starring Judy Kaye. As a singer, Ray has sung with some of the finest opera companies in the country, including Florida Grand, Glimmerglass and New Orleans operas. Ray holds degrees in piano and voice from the Indiana University School of Music.

SARAJEAN DEVENPORT Raised in San Jose, California, Sarajean received her formal training at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre. Most recently, Sarajean was seen in the "Lost Musicals" reading of Silk Stockings at the Florence Gould Hall in NYC. Sarajean has also performed at the St. Louis Muny, Kansas City Starlight and American Musical Theatre of San Jose. Her portrayal of Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods won her the AMTSJ-Bay Area Music Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress. Other regional credits include Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees, Oolie in City Of Angels, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, The Lead Ronette in Leader Of The Pack, Woman #1 in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Mrs. Walker in The Who's Tommy, Muriel McGillicuddy in Let's Face It and Woman #3 in Personals.

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 7/8/06 at 3:14pm

You might also want to ck out The Metropolitan Room. Cover charges vary. 2-drink minimum all shows:

THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) - Appearing in July:

6th & 13th at 9:30 pm, Karen Mack & Michael Holland with Gashole All Request Show;

8th at 8:00 pm, "Give Me a Voice" A Benefit for Oprah's Angel Network;

14th at 8:00 pm, Mychelle Colleary "Bastille Day";

15th at 8:00 pm, Rick Jensen with "When Love Holds On.";

17th, The Early Revue with Scott Nevins;

19th at 7:30 & 10:30 pm, Valarie Pettiford - Making her NYC Cabaret Debut;

Wednesday, July 26th at 7:30 pm, Jamie deRoy & friends; more.

Milla
The Metropolitan Room