NEW YORK CITY?Question: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Answer: Practice, practice, practice. In my case, these days, you can replace Carnegie Hall with Caf Carlyle.
We have been busy rehearsing for my cabaret gig (?The Journey ? So Far?) for over a week, heading to the studio daily to hammer out material, practice new musical arrangements and reevaluate older ones to create an easy-flowing performance. I can?t wait to get the show going! We?ve all been having such a great time!
What to wear
Since the Carlyle is a small venue, it has been strongly suggested that I shop for something simple and contemporary to wear. Taking that to heart, I armed myself with the most important companion for a shopping trip: A fashionable and style-savvy gay man (in this case, one of my agents, Josh Pultz).
Josh set up a visit to Bergdorf & Goodman?s. At the personal shopping department, we were taken care of by a wonderful lady named Liz Miller and her associate Kate (a dead ringer for Sarah Jessica Parker). Two racks of clothes were set up for me to take a look at, by designers Badgley Mischka, Valentino, Armani, Monique Lhuillier, and Andrew Gn (pronounced Gan). I knew I couldn?t pick all the clothes; we needed to narrow it down to two or three pieces. I stripped down and started trying things on.
First was the Badgley?a gun-metal jersey number with large crystals on the neckline, sleekly cut. Absolutely chic. That was Josh?s first choice. Next was Andrew Gn?on the hanger, it looked just okay, but once I put it on, it was absolutely beautiful. Turquoise, flow-y and easy, with beautiful colored beading. I also considered a black tuxedo as both an investment piece and an option for the cabaret, but I was told I?d have to come back for that.
I returned a few days later. The Armani tux was waiting for me?it fit like a glove. Finally, I bought a pair of Jimmy Choos that would look fabulous with all the clothes.
Another Broadway show
The show that I have become most excited about after seeing it is Stephen Sondheim?s ?A Little Night Music.? I had seen it in London years ago, but couldn?t wrap my head around the piece. Watching this new production (directed by Trevor Nunn), I knew why I had trouble the first time: I hadn?t lived enough of life to appreciate all that this show had to say.
Based on Ingmar Bergman?s film, ?Smiles of a Summer Night,? the musical is quite adult in theme and subject (although it?s set in turn-of-the-century Sweden). There are trysts, liaisons, unrequited (and then fulfilled) love ... And the music? The show is one big waltz.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury star in this gorgeous revival (their combined star power has sent the box office smiling, indeed). Although the both of them turned in wonderful performances (Ms Lansbury is delectable, a master storyteller who knows exactly what to do with a song, a line, a look), it is the supporting cast that really makes this worth watching. My favorites were Aaron Lazar and Erin Davie (as Count Carl Magnus Malcolm and Countess Charlotte Malcolm) for stealing every single scene!
Atlantis Productions will stage this in October with Dawn Zulueta as Desiree Armfeldt. It?s one of the most perfect musicals ever created (?Send In the Clowns? is from this show).
It?s time for me to get some sleep now ? I have a final rehearsal at Caf Carlyle ? my last shot at running the show before we unveil it for a paying audience. I?m ready.
