Christy Trapp in “Red High Heels”

Nov 20 – 21, 2009 at 7:30 pm

D.C. Cabaret Network favorite, Christy Trapp, makes her Baltimore debut in “Red High Heels,” a realistic journey of the good, the challenges and the funny stuff life throws at you. The show includes songs by Paul Simon, Maury Yeston, Dar Williams, and Maltby & Shire. “Red High Heels” is directed by DC’s Judy Simmons and Musical Directed by Ron Chiles.

At the Cabaret at Germano’s

Tickets and Info

Thanks to Matt Howe for the pictures of Justin Ritchie and Rick Jensen at Justin’s terrific show, On My Way Here !

The Washington Post on Ebersole’s Kennedy Center concert:  “Plain wonderful is the way to describe Christine Ebersole’s jazzy, polished 80-minute set Saturday night at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.”

I’m still processing the terrific master class with Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman yesterday.  The team did an amazing job of working with each participant, lovingly addressing their individual needs at the moment.  Yet, watching them work with everyone provided a superb set of learnings and discovery.  And it didn’t hurt that the always-amazing Mary Sugar was playing for the class!

As a special treat the session ended with each performing one of their signature songs.  Michele Brourman discussed the genesis of My Favorite Year and gave an inspired, passionate performance of the song.  Since it was a song I’ve worked on, it was a special thrill to experience Amanda McBroom performing Wheels in that intimate a space.

Due to events at the Warehouse Theater, the 11/16 DCCN Open Mic at the Warehouse Theater has been cancelled.  Check back here or at www.dccabaretnetwork.org. for possible re-scheduling.

It was terrific to see Justin Ritchie in his first solo cabaret outing last night !  His show, On My Way Here ( performed at the Sitar Arts Center), provides a journey about a personal journey — told in interesting pop-inflected song.

Justin had a great crowd that was ready to love him and have a good time; and he parlayed that goodwill into a special experience.  Highlights included a beautifully understated version of But Beautiful, a thrillingly sung version of Steven Lutvak’s father-memory song Museums, and a sassy He Never Did That Before.  And although Rick Jensen provided superb support with his arrangements and playing, the piano highlight of the show came when Justin accompanied himself on Mrs. Whitney Taught Me the Piano.

In the title song of his show, Justin sang a line I really love: “faith has conquered fear.”  I think that needs to be the mantra of people who make the commitment to work in this genre.  And it was very special to see that faith (and much, much hard work– not to mention talent and heart) produce the such a wonderful evening.

Justin has one more show tonight at the Sitar Arts Center (1700 Kalorama Rd, Washington DC) at 8:00pm.  Tickets and info.

Here’s the set list:

Reminders of two Amanda McBroom events:

Wolf Trap

Master Class

Monday Nov. 16, 7pm -10pm  –  Jazz at the Madison

The Chris Grasso Trio with special guest vocalists from The Vocal Workshop:  Courtney Egelhoff, Jenny Igoe, Tim Gavagan, Toni Robinson, Helen Santorro and Dierdre Williams

Jazz at the Madison
1177 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005

The Playbill Online Diva Talk column has a great interview with Chita Rivera discussing her terrific new CD:

Question: How did you go about choosing the songs?

Rivera: I’ve just got this unbelievable repertoire of theatre songs. So Michael decided, why don’t we do our show and just change all the arrangements. Give them another face. And that’s what we’ve done. I think that, should I do another album, which I think I would like to do, I think probably I would then do [a jazz CD]… I used to talk to Rosemary Clooney, who was a friend, and I would say, “That’s what I want to do at some time in my life! I want to sing some Johnny Mercer. I want to sing some fabulous jazz composers’ songs.” I think this is a step towards that.

Plus it has reviews of the new Liz Callaway, Rebecca Luker, and Kate Baldwin CDs.