By Andrew Poretz …
At the prestigious Bistro Awards, recipients are not awarded recognition at the expense of other performers. Rather, the “object is not to choose the ‘best’ of anything of the year, but to recognize and congratulate the accomplishments of those who have done something special.” These awards are announced well in advance. By dispensing with the suspense and anxiety of most awards shows, the Bistros are pure celebration and love.
The show was produced by Sherry Eaker with Mark Dundas Wood, and directed by Gerry Geddes. Cabaret legend Sidney Myer lent his unmistakable voice as the announcer. All winners were present, and the venue was filled with luminaries of cabaret and jazz. The audience was invited to the afterparty at the Sandbar Rooftop nearby, a perk itself worth the ticket price.
The recipient-performers were backed up by pianist Daryl Kojak, bassist David Finck and drummer Rex Benincasa. This writer is thrilled to have reviewed shows of four Bistro recipients for Theater Pizzazz in 2022 (Tim Connell, Melissa Errico, Therese Lee, and Ann Talman).
The hysterically funny Dame Edna “honorary understudy” Scott F. Mason, who was also honored with the Comedic Characterization award, served as the evening’s host. Sadly, the “real” Dame Edna, Barry Humphries, passed away several days after this event.
Each recipient performed a song or snippet of the show for which they were recognized, followed by a speech. Highlights of the evening follow.
The irrepressible Danny Bacher won for Singer/Instrumentalist. He turned a glitch with his mic to comedy gold in his acceptance speech, before performing a rousing “Jamboree Jones” (Johnny Mercer).
Tim Connell followed his acceptance speech for Vocalist with a lovely rendition of The Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More.”
Jazz legend Sheila Jordan presented the Jazz Recording Award to Canadian artist Beverley Church Hogan for her Sweet Invitation album. Ms. Hogan, with guitarist Pete McCann and saxophonist Carol Sudhalter joining the trio, performed “Here’s That Rainy Day.”
Ms. Jordan also presented the Jazz Vocalist award to the mononymous Tawanda,. The stunning, statuesque jazz goddess owned the room with a sultry, spectacular “Two Darn Hot” (Cole Porter) that lived up to its title in her hands. When “Dame Edna” returned to the stage, she mused, “Is it possible I have lesbian tendencies?”, which brought the house down.
Broadway star Ann Morrison, accepting for Outstanding Solo Musical, told a delightful story regarding Merrily We Roll Along, the Sondheim flop of 1981 that is the basis of Merrily from Center Stage. The petite. delightful redhead performed a snippet of the show that was funny and powerful.
Bassist David Finck grabbed a mic to introduce Broadway and cabaret star Melissa Errico, whose Out of the Dark: The Film Noir Project (which Finck produced) garnered her the nod for Concept Recording. The utterly charming Melissa, wearing a stunning red dress, is an eloquent speaker. She told a marvelous anecdote about Lauren Bacall, who told her, “Darling, you’re gonna be a star. What you need is a scandal.” She jokingly asked for volunteers for the scandal. After several offers were shouted, she exclaimed, “That’s what I get for wearing red.” She sang a rhumba version of the noir classic “Laura.”
Daryl Sherman, accepting for Enduring Artistry, spoke of being compared to Blossom Dearie. Her swell story of playing her CD for the star in her final months was hysterical.
Therese Lee, accompanied by pianist Alex Rybeck, gave a touching speech about nearly giving up on show biz. A segment of her Autobiographical Show winner, Riding the Bus to the Red Carpet included a terrific impersonation of Carol Channing singing “A Lot of Living to Do.”
Josephine Sanges, a Tribute Show winner for The Funny Girl in Me, makes one helluva Fanny Brice. Accompanied by her musical director, John M. Cook, the singer completely inhabits the part with brilliant timing and a spectacular singing voice. She wowed with “I’m the Greatest Star” from Funny Girl.
David Kenny, the popular radio host who champions so many cabaret stars on “Everything Old is New Again,” presented the Singer/Songwriter Recording award to Mark Winkler. Winkler, who lost his husband to cancer, quoted Tolstoy, who said, “Love is never lost. It just comes back in another way,” before singing “In Another Way” from his Late Bloomin’ Jazzman album.
Sidney Myer introduced Musical Characterization winner Danny Bolero (They Call Me Cuban Pete), performing as “Desi Arnaz,” brought to life Desi’s first glimpse of Lucille Ball – the “girl in the red velvet gown” – on the set of his film, and sand the 80s pop hit “The Lady in Red.”
Ann Talman, accepting Musical Memoir (Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile)also with Alex Rybeck, sang “Make Someone Happy,” beautifully inhabiting Taylor in voice and mannerisms.
Scott F. Mason, out of his Dame Edna costume, was teary in an emotional acceptance speech for Comedic Characterization (One Dame Funny Night). Like Josephine Sanges, he had nearly given up performing.
Several performers honored ASCAP-Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, the legendary singer-songwriter and pianist Ronny Whyte, with songs written or cowritten by Whyte, including Kathleen Landis (“The Party’s Upstairs”) and Eric Comstock (“I Love the Way You Dance.”
Mr. Whyte, his voice far younger than his years, performed two songs he wrote with his late husband, the witty “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” and the very funny “The Hamptons Blues,” a “blues for rich people.”
After the Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award went to the flashy Brandon James Gwinn, the audience decamped for the Sandbar Rooftop.
The 2023 Bistro Awards took place on April 20 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue.
Photos: Maryann Lopinto
