Metropolitan Room's Tribute to Dana Lorge

A trouper to the very end, Dana Lorge had a long career in the cabaret community. For a long spell, she hosted a weekly variety show at Bernard and Joanne Furshpan's Metropolitan Room in Chelsea, NYC.

Bernie gratefully downloaded the show for all he who could not attend, and that includes myself.

Dana was a regular fixture on the cabaret scene. She was funny on-stage and beloved by all off.

Dana discovered very late that she had lung cancer. Her death sent tremors though the cabaret community. She is sincerely missed and loved by family, friends and fans. Her original song "I Was Beautiful" is a cabaret classic.

As an actress, Dana (pronounced Dan-ah) had supporting roles in films like Mel Brooks' The Producers and Moscow on the Hudson, among others.

I met her several times after shows at the Metropolitan Room and found her very charming. So, RIP, Dana. NYC cabaret mourns and misses you very much.

Rubbing Elbows: My Brushes with Celebrities chapter 3

I've been hard at work on my proposed memoirs. Here's chapter 3:

I grew up in a somewhat obsessed-with-entertainment household tat helped mold and groom me for what I do today.

My uncle, Patrick Tuohey, was a singer who started in the business as one of the Startime Kids, a popular tv show in the 1950s. He was on at the time with Connie Francis and had a kiddie crush on her.

Her career took off but my uncle's didn't due to family setbacks of one or another.

"If your Uncle Pat couldn't make it, none of us can make it''' was one of the negative mottos I frequently heard around the house where I grew up with my mom and grandparents; my uncle's parents as well. They meant well, trying to protect us, but drilled a toxic message into my head.

This message only made me more determined as I matured. In high school, I joined the glee club. In college, I joined an acting troupe. After my days at University of Colorado, I moved from my humble roots in Paterson, NJ to Manhattan. I had a cabaret act, singing. I was an underground, Super-8 filmmaker. And I continued to write, which has always been my greatest talent and passion.

I found my niche as a celebrity blogger in 2009 that has gown and it's viewed internationally. with over 13,000 views monthly. Beat that, People magazine!

Flash forward: 20015 and I am press-passed to events, like Melba Moore's packed-to-the rafters sold-out show at the fabulous Metropolitan Room in downtown Manhattan. I finally found my calling. As Melba sings: "This is it!"

Again, I appreciate any feedback on my development of my memoir. Thanks!

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: The Rebirth of Live Entertainment in NYC!

Live entertainment is one of NYC's greatest assets, whether we're talking about the legitimate theater, cabaret or live concerts -- in large venues and intimate ones. It's what draws people to the city, makes them brave Times Square and the extreme weather in winter and in summertime.

Doubtlessly, the lines blur more and more between "legit" stage productions and New York cabaret  where unprecedented numbers of established stars rub elbows with the rising stars of tomorrow.

It's an excitement you can't find anyplace else. Yes, we have great restaurants here as well and fine movie palaces but nothing can beat a live concert, live theater, our cabaret rooms. They scintillate with an energy, a vibe that nothing else compares to.

In an interview I did with Bernard Fushpan, manager of one of Manhattan's best cabaret venues, Metropolitan Room, cabaret has become "less stodgey" today and "has embraced a wider spectrum or variety of sounds." And it's more egalitarian I would venture to say, more welcoming to all to come, enjoy and just have a good time, leaving your worries behind.

The same is true of the Broadway stage. Viva the rock musical! All live theater in NYC is expensive to mount I hear from producers, people who work in what they love, which ~ of course ~ is priceless.

Serious dramas have again made headway on Broadway but it's still the big, splashy musicals that pull in the most people.

So, what good is sitting alone in your room watching the boob tube? Life is a holiday ~ only in NYC, kids, only in New York as Cindy Adams used to write!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Denise Spann-Morgan's Soulful Christmas at NYC's Metropolitan Room

The holidays got happier when Denise Spann-Morgan brought a bevy of artists to Bernie and Joanne Furshpan's Metropolitan Room this afternoon. I don't make it to 1:00pm shows for just any old body but this was well worth the effort.

Denise did Phil Spector proud as she opened and closed the show with "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home," a song identified with its original vocalist, Darlene Love, that Ms Morgan outstandingly made her own.

Denise brought a number of fabulous artists to the stage to sing carols and seasonal pop tunes that ranged from "Mary, Did You Know?" (a rhetorical question the song never answers, though sung beautifully by Beau Howard) to the novelty tune "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," sung campy zest by Molly Pope.

But more than hosting, the lead singer of The "Marvelous" Marvelettes belted out songs herself in an array of outfits. Denise put together a rousing afternoon of superlative talent.

I sat in a booth with my brother from another mother, Nick Lion and we got to exchange Christmas gifts just before showtime. Bernie and Joanne sat nearby, both looking even more dapper than unusual. Even my friend Wellington Perkins -- whom I haven't seen in ages -- came by to wish us a happy holiday.

Nick's white sports jacket looked appropriately divine for Christmas! In fact, it was an afternoon of holiday bliss that left me wanting to go dancing in the streets. Merry Christmas to all!

Exclusive Q&A with Diva Impersonator Dorothy Bishop

I interviewed Dorothy Bishop over the phone. Ms Bishop has a rare talent: she is a woman who impersonates women. Her show at NYC's Metropolitan Room has been bringing in a growing audience and receiving wider attention. 

My friend Nick Lion tipped me off to Dorothy's show, and I will be going to see Dorothy perform on December 23rd at 8pm. Here, then, is our Q&A, with Dorothy asking me the questions at the outset:

Buddy Beaverhausen: So good to finally get to talk with you, Dorothy.
Dorothy Bishop: Same here. What is your background? Were you ever an actor?
BB: No. I studied acting at HB Studio briefly, but I've mostly wanted to write. I did have a cabaret act  during the '70s.
DB: Oh, great! What venues did you do?
BB: Rose's Turn on Grove Street when that was called The Duplex. The Bushes of CPW, The Ballroom in Soho, and some other joints that, offhand, I forget the names of.

BB: When I think of women who are celebrity impersonators, I think of Debbie Reynolds, Edie Adams and, certainly, Marilyn Michaels. Did any of these ladies influence you and your work?
DB: Well, yes, they were all influential to one degree or another. Especially Marilyn Michaels, who is my absolute idol. I've friended her on Facebook and keep inviting her to come. I'd love it if she could. It would be a dream come true!

BB: I interviewed Marilyn Michaels and she told me she developed her talent to impersonate as a teenager. When did you start to realize your talent at impersonations?
DB: Oh, much later! I began doing my show as a singer when I was performing in. I have a background in opera at Yale. But I found that when I threw an impersonation or two into my act, it helped bring in more of an audience. So that's really where my impersonations shows were born.

BB: Have any male impersonators influenced or impressed you?
DB: Oh, wow, yes indeed! All the drag queens. I've learned so much from them.

BB: You have quite a residency at the Metropolitan Room. What other rooms in NYC have you played?
DB: The Iguana originally. I've performed on Celebrity Cruises and the whole NYC cabaret circuit, actually, before ending up at the Metropolitan Room, where I'm very happy to say I have that monthly residency now.

BB: What makes the Metropolitan Room home to you?
DB: Well, first and foremost, Bernie and JoAnne have been so generous and wonderful to me. They are so rare and refreshing in what can sometimes be a cutthroat business. Most clubs function on the idea that if you don't bring in a crowd at your first show, that's it for you! But Bernie and Joanne are completely supportive and smart in the sense that they realize it takes time to build up an audience, which is so unusual in the cabaret world.
BB: They have been very supportive of me and my blog as well, so I know just what you mean.
DB: They're great! And I'm happy to say that my audience has grown and we're pulling in bigger crowds all the time.

BB: It looks to me as if you'll be booked there well into 2016. Am I correct?
DB: Yes. I'm thrilled!

BB: What dozen divas do you plan on presenting at your holiday show on December 23rd?
DB: Without giving too much away, I think you can count on my doing Madonna, Cher, Joan Rivers -- whom I didn't do for a while after she passed -- but now I think it's ok to bring her back. and Shirley Bassey, who is new to the show.

BB: How many outfits does this take?
DB: I have one versatile outfit with various accessories onstage as well as a clothes rack. Plus I might go backstage, during a video, to change.

BB: I was introduced to your show through Nick Lion. How did you two connect originally?
DB: Through Facebook actually. We were planning on my performing at his club, Icon, in Astoria. But we've stayed friends and he has come to many of my shows at the Metropolitan Room and is an ardent supporter. I adore Nick!

BB: Did you ever try to impersonate a diva and, for whatever reason, it didn't work out?
DB: Yes. A few were out of my range. I tried doing male divas, too. Doing Steven Tyler wrecks my voice, but I can do a mean Freddie Mercury!

BB: I understand you have a very large gay fan base. Gives new meaning to the term "Friends of Dorothy." Anything you'd like to say to them?
DB: Where would I be without you? I've learned so much from my gay friends. They taught me so much about doing my make-up and wigs! They've been so very supportive and I'm so, so thankful!

BB: Any last shout outs about anything we may not have covered?
DB: Just that I'm very grateful to be able to do what I do. Come see me at the Metropolitan Room on December 23rd at 8:30. Again, thanks to Bernie and Joanne and the remarkable technical crew and staff at the club, and thanks to you, Buddy, for doing this Q&A with me!

BB: Dorothy, I thank you for your time and your patience in pulling this together. So nice talking with you and I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd and in the new year as well. And then I get to write about you all over again!
DB: Look forward to seeing you!

Exclusive Q&A with David Kenney

David Kenney has a radio show on WBAI-FM called Everything Old Is New Again. He will be bringing a holiday show to the Metropolitan Room on Thursday, December 17 at 6pm, benefiting the radio station. Julie Budd will be among the singers that night. David won this year's MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Board of Directors Award. We sat down recently to do the following interview. Again, thanks to Richard Skipper for getting us together. richardskipper.com


Buddy Beaverhausen: Tell us about your upcoming show at the Metropolitan Room.
David Kenney: It's our third holiday concert there. So it's sort of become our home. It's a two-hour show at a reasonable ticket price, so nobody will feel cheated

BB:What led you to that venue in the first place?
DK: It has a great art-deco decor that sort of suits our shows. And Bernie and Joanne are so easy to deal with and such nice people.
BB: I love those guys!

BB: Were you born and raised in NYC?
DK: No, I'm from New Jersey.
BB: Isn't everybody? I a Jersey boy, too.
DK: Where are you from?
BB: Paterson. You?
Dk: Kinnelon, actually. Do you know where that is?
BB: Well I know it's near Wayne and the Pompton Lakes area.
DK: Yes, just a little west of that.

BB: What music influenced you growing up there?
DK: Well, I was exposed to everything. My dad liked -- and played classical on piano. And mom loved playing The Beatles and other 1960s pop music. So it was very eclectic.

BB: How did you choose your show's ensemble performers?
DK: It's a very mixed selection of artists I've admired and/ or worked with. Usually I supply the band but this year, for the first time, each singer will bring his or her own accompanists.

BB: Do you listen to much current pop music on the radio these days? And if so what do you think?
DK: My teenage son loves to listen to rap music but I personally don't find musical value in it. Too much egotism. bragging as well. After I drop him off, I change the station.

BB: What do you think about Lady Gaga, who seems to be positioning herself more toward classic pop music?
DK: I think she's very wise to do that. She has positioned herself for the long run. I think she has a great voice, and I admire her for that.

BB: Who would be the dream artist you'd like to have in your ensemble?
DK: I already have my dream team this year.

BB: I have a lot of LGBT readers. Anything you'd like to say to them?
DK: I support equality for all, so I support your struggle for it, and stay strong.

BB: Thank you, David. Any last shout-outs to our readers?
DK: Certainly! Come see our show at the Metropolitan Room, Thursday, December 22nd at 6 pm!

Exclusive Q&A with Bernard Furshpan of NYC's Acclaimed Metropolitan Room

Bernard Furshpan was on his way, driving to the Metropolitan Room, when I placed my call to do this Q&A. Bernie has become a friend over the year, and it has been nothing but a pleasure knowing him and his wife Joanne. He has had a great year at the club but a difficult one for him personally, as his beloved father passed away during the summer. Here, then, is our Q&A:

Buddy Beaverhausen: Hi, Bernie! Let's begin with my asking you something a lot of readers may not know. You had a prior career as a chiropractor. How did you segue from that to becoming Managing Director/ Booking Partner at the Metropolitan Room?

Bernard Furshpan: Yes, I started as a chiropractor but retired from that career to do something I loved more. Life's too short! I had a certain amount of fame in that profession, however, as I cured a girl with chronic hiccups. Her doctors said there was nothing they could do, but as a chiropractor, I cured her and it got a lot of media attention.
I went into managing companies on-line and, at the time, the Metropolitan Room's management, who also run Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea, needed help. That's how I got involved. Ultimately, we thought it was best if I just took over.

Bernie, Joanne & Nick Lion

BB: It's always such a pleasure to see you and your beautiful and gracious wife, Joanne, at the club. How did you two meet?
BF: On-line, actually. We communicated back and forth a lot before we even dated. When we met, it was love at first sight.
BB: Can't wait for you to meet my great friends, Merv and Tracey, who also got into ballroom dance lessons, just like you and Joanne. And they, too, met on-line.
BF: Thank you. I never knew I could be so graceful, though Joanne studied ballet. I'd love you to bring your friends.

BB: I see Joanne is General Manager at Metropolitan Room, which I didn't know until I was researching for this interview. What does her job involve?
BF: Supervising the staff, basically.
BB: She does an excellent job as your staff is especially courteous and graceful.
BF: Yes, our current staff is wonderful, and we don't tolerate difficult people.

BB: Your show room has such an elegant Art Deco look to it. Who designed it?
BF: We brought people in to do that, with our ideas. When I took over the club, it looked like a mess.

BB: You have lived in NYC all your life, currently in Queens. However, you were born and raised in Brooklyn. What was your growing up there like and what music did you listen to growing up?
BF: Yes, I grew up in Brooklyn and, in our house, we always had the radio or the record player on. and I heard everything, especially jazz and pop.
BB: I moved to Bay Ridge from Manhattan and love it here. Have you ever been to Bay Ridge?
BF: Definitely. Love that neighborhood!

BB: You have great talent booked which I'm sure is a large part of your success. Julie Budd always brings in a full crowd. What is your professional relationship like?
BF: Joanne and I adore her, just like she was family. She's been in the business for a very long time and is an absolute professional.
BB:Ever deal with less professional talent?
BF: We realize some artists are just insecure. You know, they're people too, so we smooth their feathers and reassure them everything will be fine.
BB: I once worked at The Bottom Line when I was young, and they had Esther Phillips there when she was hot off her success of the disco version of "What a Difference a Day Makes." She was so abusive to the technical people and staff that, despite her two sold-out shows, the club refused to ever have her back.
BF: Wow! Same here, we have zero tolerance for that kind of behavior. We will not allow our staff or technical people to be treated in a disrespectful manner. Luckily, we never had to deal with this.

BB: Melba Moore's recent birthday show packed the club to the rafters. What was that night like for you?
BF: Crazy but a total delight. Melba is a favorite, and so un-presuming off-stage.

BB: There's a resurgence of interest now in cabaret as one of NYC's unique and lively art forms. Why do you think that is?
BF: I think because it's become less "stodgy" and has embraced a wider spectrum or variety of sounds.

BB: What are the best and worst things about running a club in Manhattan!
BF: Best: Location and a very sophisticated audience. Worst: How expensive it all is.

BB: Before we ever met, I came to see Pia Zadora, at your club, as a guest of Bob Esty's. I brought Nick Lion, and Bob had us seated right up front. Pia made her Piatinis for Nick and I and handed them to us from the stage. What was it like dealing with her?
BF: She was a complete professional in every way. Like Julie Budd, she has been in the business her whole life. She was a doll. Bob was a pleasure to deal with as well. And what a voice! We'd love to have her back sometime.

BB: So many artists enjoy dealing with you. Many feel you exude a warmth and feel you're like an old friend. Are you aware of this charm you seem to have?
BF: Well, Joanne and I both try to make artists feel comfortable with us and at home in the club.

BB: Any last shout-outs?
BF: Thanks to everyone who has come to see our shows and who has supported the Metropolitan Room. Thanks to our business partners and to our incredible and devoted staff. Thanks to you, Buddy Beaverhausen, for your wonderful reviews of our shows. We love reading your blog. And for introducing us to great talent like Denise Spann-Morgan and Debby Cole.
BB: And thank you, Bernie, for taking out the time to do this Q&A with me.

My Night with Melba Moore and Friends at the Metropolitan Room

It was a night that I, for one, will never forget, and I am sure I'm not the only one.

Bernie Furshpan's Metropolitan Room, on West 22nd Street in Manhattan, was more than just simply a packed house; it was filled to the shaking rafters with an exceptionally appreciative crowd.

It was a love fest. It was a night of diva worship. It was a birthday celebration, as Ms Moore turned 70 yesterday. (Pieces of Melba's birthday cakes were shared with the room.) It was cabaret at its best. It was joy. It was heavenly. It was a part of entertainment history. It was dynamite!

When I entered the club with my pal Nick Lion, my very good friend Kevin Scott Hall was on a queue of people waiting to get in, which I assumed we'd have to join. Kevin was, after all, Melba's press guest and also did a q&a with her.

Nick went to the front desk and lo and behold, our good friend Denise-Spann Morgan of The "Marvelous" Marvelettes had us on her guest list, so we squeezed into her booth. Bernie greeted us in the lobby and ushered us in. It's always nice to see Bernie and his beautiful wife, Joanne, at the club.

Bernie, Joanne & Nick

NYC talk show host Barry Z sat in the booth directly behind me. 

Richard Skipper was also in the house and we got to talk after the show. Always great to see Richard in the house!

I have to admit that I arrived in a bad mood after an awful traffic day into Manhattan. It's Halloween weekend, the Mets are playing, and a truck burst into flames in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, closing traffic there and making my commute complicated and my livery car driver nasty and difficult to deal with. But Melba lifted my spirits high with her performance after I finally arrived.

Melba & Me

Hers was an eclectic selection, kicking off with "Don't Rain on My Parade." Melba did her disco hit, "This Is It," sang "I've Got Love" ~ a beautiful number written especially for her, from her Broadway breakthrough Purlie. She even covered The Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road" beautifully. Yes, it has been long and winding for us all.

Melba's dad, who is 100 years old now, even came onstage to play piano and sing with his daughter aside the piano. His gravelly "Satin Doll" was a delight! Melba had some wonderful duets as well.

Fans brought Melba bouquets of beautiful flowers, and gifts. My own Nick and Denise even went up to the stage to give her presents. Can you believe the diva is 70?! She is still a beautiful babe. Melba wore a white, dressy pantsuit with black trim and a train. The top had a peplum to it. She wore heels but doffed them at some point. Actually, somebody took them off for her. Now, that's true divahood!

Melba's fantastic back-up consisted of a three-piece band and three back-up, all-male vocalists. All were superb.

Nick gifts Melba

This was it, and we all  knew it was a good thing. A great thing, in fact! Nothing but kudos and eternal love, Melba! Come back to Metropolitan Room soon.

http://www.melbamoore.com

http://metropolitanroom.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd, the Boys & the Booze

Me, Julie, Nick (l. to r.)

Julie Budd returned to the Metropolitan Room to belt out Frank Sinatra and Sinatra-associated tunes last night. She was delightful as always from start to finish.

Her talent to amuse was evident, from start to finish, in her patter. It was a night of both laughter and thunderous applause. The joint was jumpin'!

Ms. Budd was in no-holds-barred mode. When she finished off with "I'll Be Seeing You," Nick and I both wept because it was a favorite tune of our mothers -- who left us exactly two and three years ago to the day.

Julie's heartfelt renditions are her forte. Although her voice is frequently compared to Streisand's, Nick and I agreed Julie's voice is even better as it rarely slips into vibrato mode.Viva la Julie!

Incidentally, I thought Julie's guitarist, Sean Harkness, bore a strong resemblance to my doctor (Spinelli), so I asked him if we could take a picture of us together. Honestly, Dr S and he could be twins!

After the show, Nick and I went down to our haunt, The Monster, on Grove Street in the Village. Must have been my lucky night as I met two very tall, good-looking young men who took a distinct interest in me for whatever reason.

The first guy (left) lives in neighboring Bensonhurst. I make it my policy not to take people home on the night that we've just met. Besides, my house was kind of messy, but a date is in the cards. I offered him a ride back in the cab with me, but he declined. I also got mystery date #2's phone number. My pheromones must have kicked into high gear after Julie's show! Just some innocent fun at Nick's and my after-party.

By the way, Nick and I had VIP seating at the Metropolitan Room, thanks to both club manager Bernie Furshpan and performer Dorothy Bishop. The cheese platter was fabulous! I was scrupuously clean-shaven tonight at Nick's insistence as, in my last photo with Julie, I was a little grungy under the chin line. Thanks once again to friend Richard Skipper, Julie's press manager, for inviting us... and for taking our picture (at top)!

As for tonight, how much more fabulous could it get?! Seems I'm officially back On the Town again.

Julie's new album, Remembering Mr Sinatra, is available on cd and for downloading on-line. It can be purchased through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

Julie will return to the Metropolitan Room on December 10. The club is already taking reservations.

https://juliebudd.com

http://metropolitanroom.com

http://www.richardskipper.com

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Julie Budd Live!

Julie Budd looked elegant when she took to the stage in a black gown with a hint of glitter on it, a white bolero jacket with shoulder pads, and high heels.

Julie thanked the sold-out crowd for coming out in the rain to see her perform. She apologized, however, about the weather making her hair frizz out. She need not have as she looked just delightful.

Ms Budd told numerous amusing backstage stories about working with Frank Sinatra as his special guest in Vegas at age 16. Her patter also included anecdotes about working with Jimmy Durante (apparently a very tough taskmaster).

At the Metropolitan Room, Julie Budd had the world on a string, to paraphrase her opening number. "In the Wee Small Hours" was a special stand-out in her set.

Julie knocks every number out of the ballpark with her belter's voice, always perfectly on pitch and with little vibrato. I do feel, however, that some of her ballads, like "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" require more constraint which would showcase a gentler side of her tremendous voice.

I thought, from our interviews and all I've read about Julie, that she was a Manhattan girl born and bred. In this show, it came as news to moi that she is Brooklyn born. How much talent has come out of this borough?!

Julie's voice is a force of nature, just like today's weather. She expressed her worries, to the sold-out audience, that the inclement weather might have her playing to a nearly empty house. Julie, we love you, Come Rain or Come Shine!

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen and The "Marvelous" Marvelettes at the Metropolitan Room NYC!

I was greeted in the Metropolitan Room's lobby by the graceful Joanne Camilleri-Furshpan, owner Bernie's wife, and ushered in by her. I love her gentle accent! It was the first time we met in person.

Lead vocalist Denise Spann-Morgan later appeared on-stage in a sparkling beige, sleeveless gown between her back-up "Marvelos" Marvelettes (who sometimes got a chance to also snag the lead), the magnificent Annette Bland McCoy and LaRita Gaskin. Ms McCoy wasn't coy at all, it turned out, when she bitched that the stage lighting was making her sweat too much under her wig. She quickly removed it, revealing her real hair pulled back into a bun, walked out into the audience and put it on the head of yours truly!

On a scale of 1 to 100, this show was 110. The packed house was joyously jubilant in its wild enjoyment. Not only is Ms Morgan a powerhouse belter of a singer, but she is a hilarious raconteur and monologist; as raw and raunchy as any diva working today, putting Ms Midler to shame.

The ladies opened with "The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game," then moved on to "Playboy" and "My Baby Must Be a Musician." Towards the end of the act that had the girl-group doing a very upbeat, soulful version of "Please Mr Postman," Denise had given me a personal shout-out and club owner Bernard Furshpan thanked me for bringing the group to the club, calling Buddy Beaverhausen Metropolitan Room's "matchmaker and yenta."

The song set included Baby Washington's "That's How Dreams Are Made" and Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness," both expertly interpreted. A perky "Beechwood 45789," "Too Many Fish in the Sea" and "Don't Mess with Bill" rounded out the night to lots of audience clapping along, applause and bopping around in our seats; even getting to our feet to dance a little.

The "Marvelous" Marvelettes blew the roof off Metropolitan Room and the Metropolitan Room loved every minute of it, it seemed. My friend Nick Lion and I had to later go for a couple of cocktails at The Monster just to recover from our cabaret experience, and to rave -- and share photos -- with everybody about what we'd just seen. Truly, The Marvelettes are one of the best-loved girl-groups of all time. Denise even told her audience that they were Motown's #1 girl group; not The Supremes. Motown's dirty little secret! Hallelujah and amen from your little old yenta, me!

This was the first night of The "Marvelous" Marvelettes' residency at Metropolitan Room. It was also Denise's birthday, by the way. The diva was thrown a little surprise party when the audience sang The Birthday Song and the club served cake to all. An extremely touching moment, especially for our star.

I'll be back for the next "Marvelous" Marvelettes show for sure. http://metropolitanroom.com/enhancedCalendar.cfm

Midler on the Roof at NYC's Metropolitan Room

Carly Ozard is a cabaret treasure, and that she proved last night at the Metropolitan Room where she revived -- and revised -- her show, "Midler on the Roof."

I saw Carly perform this act at The Triad last October. It cleverly intertwines Miss M's songbook with autobiographical tales, the heartbreaking, uplifting and the completely inspiring.

The Divine Miss O -- who brought this show to town for LGBT Pride week and a day before Bette herself performs at Madison Square Garden -- was certainly in fine fettle last night with a powerhouse voice that sometimes felt like a refreshing summer storm had been unleashed. The crowed adored her and expressed as much with thunderous applause.

"Midler on the Roof" was directed by Kristine Zbornik and musically directed by Steven Ray Watkins (on piano). Tim Lykins was on drums and Daniel Fabricatore on bass. Back-up vocals were supplied by Karen Mack and Jennifer Haber. Kudos to all for outstanding work.

Ms Ozard is not a Bette Midler impersonator but a powerful interpreter of her idol's songs. Those songs included Midler favorites like "Delta Dawn," "The Rose" and "Shiver Me Timbers."  The "Hello in There/Wind Beneath My Wings" medley was extremely moving. Disco Bette Carly-style rocked the house with "Knight in Black Leather" "I'm Beautiful, Dammit!" and "Married Men." "I Put a Spell on You" (from the film Hocus Pocus) also excited the crowd with its ferociously upbeat energy.

Carly closed with "Friends" and belted "Rose's Turn" out of the park, so to speak, for an encore.

A delightful and, really, flawless performance right down to the technical aspects of light and sound. Thank you, Richard Skipper, for inviting my friend, Nick Lion, and I to the event. And thanks to the staff at the Metropolitan Room for providing first-rate, attentive service.

Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with Julie Budd, part 3

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. 
At this point, I understand, the show is sold out. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: When you're not performing and you want to relax, what do you do?
Julie Budd: Oh, gosh! I like to do a lot of little things. I like to get in touch with my sisters, spend time with my family. And I usually tell people I'm out of town, so that I can stay home and the phone doesn't ring.
BB [Laughs] Sounds like something I'd do!
JB [Laughing] Have you done that? You know, "I'm on the road, I'm in Tahiti, whatever." You know, people think performers are always on the go, always on and I just like to stay quiet and relax. I like to go to museums or shop with my sisters or go to the gym. I keep it very private and quiet. But it doesn't usually last that long. Because, say you have a month off. After the first two weeks you have to start preparing and rehearsing for what you're going to do once you come back.
BB Well, as someone who just retired from his day job, I understand because I am busier doing the things I want to do now.
JB Do you love that?
BB Yes! Because I have that time to devote now to what I like to do. If I were working, it would be very unlikely I could talk with you at 12:30 in the afternoon.
JB Beautiful.

BB Could you complete this statement? If there's one thing people don't know about me and I wish they did, its [blank].
JB That's a tough question because I don't concern myself terribly with what people think or know about me. I mean, you never know what people are thinking and if you concern yourself with that, you really aren't it the moment, are you!

BB People think that if you are a performer or if you are on the show business scene, you are an extrovert. I know I'm an introvert and I suspect, from your answers, you may be too. True?
JB Yes, I'm not one of these people who has to be noticed or anything like that. I don't have to constantly be on. And I think there's something about having a vivacious personality opposed to "being on" which is a persona. If there's a party and people are at the piano, I'm usually at the back of the room. And when I finish a show, I go back to my room and straight to bed.
BB I always say my favorite activity is sleeping.
JB [Laughs] But you know, it relaxes the vocal cords.