Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – A round-up of in-person cabaret (while it lasted): BILLY STRITCH, NATALIE DOUGLAS, and PAIGE TURNER

• By drediman
• December 15, 2020
• No Comments

It was fun while it lasted. The last few weeks allowed some semblance of in-person cabaret to return in the guise of “incidental music” for diners. However, the governor put a halt to the budding cabaret scene when he announced that yesterday was to be the final day to allow indoor dining in New York City (given worsening COVID-19 statistics in the area). Here are some brief thoughts on the shows I was able to catch.

SUPPERCLUB HOSTED BY BILL STRITCH
Birdland Jazz Club

Last Tuesday at Birdland Theater – Birdland Jazz Club’s newish subterranean performance space – I caught a wonderful set by the great Billy Stritch (RECOMMENDED). Much of the material in the show was culled from his latest CD “Billy’s Place”, a collection of songs that Mr. Stritch found himself drawn to during the pandemic. Together, these songs (most of them of the American Songbook variety from the likes of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Johnny Mercer, etc.) effectively write a heartfelt love letter to the New York City of yore. It was a pleasure once again to experience the sought-after performer and music director live, who in person gives off the very essence of old New York. Despite the time away from in-person audiences, I’m happy to report that Mr. Stritch wasn’t at all rusty – his smooth vocals, caressing way with the keys, and easygoing banter remain as impeccable as ever.

BIRDLAND DINNER HOSTED BY NATALIE DOUGLAS
Birdland Jazz Club

Among those who also graced the stage of Birdland Theater over the last two weeks was vocalist Natalie Douglas (RECOMMENDED), who has the distinction of being the final act at the club before it shuttered today. As such, last night’s set was a bittersweet one, especially given the fact that it was the singer’s first performance in front of a live audience in almost a year (both she and the audience were clearly moved by these circumstances). Ms. Douglas’s set, delivered with her trademark sweet but sassy vocals, was an eclectic and accessible mix of songs that proved to be a hit with the audience. There was something for everybody to enjoy — from swinging jazz standards to the plaintive reflections of Joni Mitchell, all of which were made more inviting by Ms. Douglas’s personable, girl-next-door stage presence.

PAIGE TURNER: WE REALLY NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS!
Don’t Tell Mama

More creative, however, were Paige Turner and the team behind We Really Need a Little Christmas! (RECOMMENDED), the New York City-based drag queen’s 2020 holiday show at Don’t Tell Mama. The pandemic almost stifled this year’s show (which has become an annual tradition), but by performing outdoors on the stoop of the storied cabaret club, the show was able to, as they say in the biz, go on. Indeed, leave it to drag queens, particularly this one, to triumph agains considerable odds – the stoop turned out to be an effective design element and the occasional Restaurant Row passersby unsuspecting extras in Ms. Turner’s scrappy holiday extravaganza. With her signature JonBenét’s Ramsey-on-steroids look, Broadway quality singing, and razor sharp wit, the distinctive Ms. Turner held court with confidence and glee. Moreover, the night I attended, the weather cooperated beautifully, resulting in an awfully fun time.