“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.

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.

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: Jon Weber- 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