“On the Sunny Side of the Street”: A Cavalcade of Variety

The New York Cabaret Convention Third Night
Host K.T. Sullivan, Artistic Director -The Mabel Mercer Foundation

By Alix Cohen

Opening tonight’s show, Mardie Millit and Michael Garin ebulliently perform its title song, “On the Sunny Side of the Street” (Jimmy McHugh/ Dorothy Fields) Millit’s slip/slide vocal is immensely appealing. Convention debut.

Two burgeoning talents follow: Ella Emberton (University of Central Oklahoma) is winner of the Jim and Elizabeth Sullivan Scholarship. A percussive, syncopated “It Might As Well Be Spring” (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II) shows tone and talent. Convention debut. Jon Weber – piano

John Michael Pitera (graduate of Professional Performing Arts School) is winner of the 2025 Adela and Larry Elow American Songbook Performing Arts High School Competition. The young man has a good voice but Stephen Sondheim’s “Ladies Who Lunch” landed neither wry nor sophisticated. Jon Weber – piano

Christine Andreas and husband Marty Silvestri (vocal/piano) offer a duet from Gigi, after which the confirmed Francophile sings a glorious “La Vie en Rose” (Edith Piaf Louiguy) In the capable hands of Steve Ross (vocal/piano) “Dancing in the Dark” (Arthur Schwartz/ Howard Dietz) must sound just as its authors imagined- hushed and understated, yet deeply felt. The arrangement is inspired.

Tanya Moberly’s “New York City Blues” (Quincy Jones/Peggy Lee) arrives full out boogie-woogie, replete with yelps, “hah!”, and growls. At the piano, Ian Herman’s accomplished two hands sound like four. In honor of Iris Williams and Cleo Laine, a somber “She Was Beautiful” (Cleo Laine/John Williams) does no justice to the talented Eric Yves Garcia (piano/vocal.)

Stephanie Pope erupts with a Latinesque version of “Pick Yourself Up” (Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields) arranged by Daryl Kojak. Her big, bright vocal and Fosse-like dance turn show well honed Broadway chops. Ian Herman- piano. Speaking of showmanship, one of its great purveyors, Mark Nadler (vocal/piano) performs “Once Upon a Time” (Charles Strouse/Lee Adams) with unusual grace and delicacy.

Imported from New Zealand for her second Convention appearance, Ali Harper sings “You Made Me Love You” (James V. Monaco/ by Joseph McCarthy) and “The Trolley Song” (Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin). The vocalist is clearly, additionally an actress. Matthew Everingham- piano

Melissa Errico channels her spiritual earth mother for “You Must Believe in Spring” (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, Jacques Demy). Arms float as if conjuring. Peter Douskalis- guitar and Derek Bermel- clarinet don’t seem to be in sync.
A KT Sullivan find, Lady Zen came in from Mexico for their Convention debut. With a nod to Bessie Smith, an open-throated “On Revival Day” (Andy Razaf) stirs the audience to rhythmically clap. Mark Hartman- piano.

23 years into her run as Velma in the musical Chicago, Amra-Faye Wright dances and sings a vivacious “City Lights.” (John Kander/Fred Ebb) Mark Hummel-piano . Recommended by Steve Ross, the British Sam Jewison (vocal/piano) shares an uber-stylish version of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” (Eric Maschwitz/ Manning Sherwin.)

Ben Schaechter/Dan Kaelfrom’s extremely original “He Knew How to Read Me” features a vocal New York Times. The clever song is enhanced by Kelli Rabke’s animated performance. John Fischer- piano. Convention debut. Winner of this year’s Julie Wilson Award, Brian Eng (Vocal/piano) offers a refined, mid-tempo “Pennies From Heaven” (Arthur Johnston/ Johnny Burke) quietly scatting under his breath.

Decked to the nines, Diva LaMarr and life partner Darnell White (vocal/piano) deliver a wonderfully original arrangement of “Up Where We Belong” (Jack Nitzsche/Buffy Sainte- Marie/Will Jennings), part Gospel, part Motown and all grand. Another unexpected arrangement emerges with Justin Dylan Nastro’s (Vocal/piano) “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” (Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman) which becomes a rumba! An odd combination, if well performed. Convention debut. Yasuhiko Fukuoka- piano

Marieann Meringolo’s “Summer Me, Winter Me,” book ended by “How Do You Keep the Music Playing “(Alan & Marilyn Bergman) illustrates the artist’s prowess with the Bergman oeuvre. Doyle Newmyer- piano. Nic and Desi (Nicolas Dromard & Desiree Davar) present a choreographed “Money Makes the World Go Round” (John Kander/Fred Ebb) with enthusiasm and panache. Convention debut. Yasuhiko Fukuoka- piano

Another more satirical duo, Susie Mosher and John Boswell (piano/vocal) become Pepper Cole and Johnny Niagara for the “Midler on the Roof” mash-up. What outfits! What exaggeration! What Hellzapoppin’ brio! In from Las Vegas, Phillip Officer engages the audience with an understated “Ballad of the Sad Young Men.” (Tommy Wolf/Fran Landesman) Perched on a stool, his cotton flannel vocal and subtle interpretation get to the truth. Mark Hartman- piano.

KT Sullivan’s effusive “Carpet Ride” written about their childhood fantasies by her sister, Heather Sullivan, introduces her sibling. Heather Sullivan (piano/ vocal) closes the show with a terrific amalgam rock/pop/jazz “Empire State of Mind” (Angela Hunte/Janet Sewell-Ulepic) Like the artist, many bounce in their seats. Ed Jackson- cool Sax.

See you next year!

Unless otherwise noted, the house band tonight: Yasuhiko Fukuoka- MD, piano, Steve Doyle- bass, Ray Marchica- drums

Photos by Richard Termine
Opening: KT Sullivan, Artistic Director- The Mabel Mercer Foundation

Rose Hall October 23, 2025