Please note: No "song lists" distributed at the convention, so some of the song titles in these reports may not be accurate and/or misspelled.

Something must have been wrong with my clock at home or something (I don't wear a watch). I stopped by the apartment to pick up my notepad, and left W. 46th St. at 7 minutes to 6. TOWN HALL is only 1 1/2 blocks east and 3 blocks south - about a 5 minute walk. But when I got to TOWN HALL the show had already started! In fact, by the time I made my way to the balcony, the first act was just finishing - I just caught a peek of David Staller leaving the stage! I found out later that David had to appear in a show upstate, and so was put on first so he could rush right off after his number.

It was "Noel Coward" night at the CABARET CONVENTION - something I had only looked forward to because Jay Rogers was going to make his cabaret convention debut at the show. Now, I don't mind a Noel Coward tune once in a while. But 3 hours of Noel Coward was similar in my mind to having root canal surgery. And then, just a few minutes before leaving home, I found out that Jay Rogers was not going to appear in the show (a fact, as usual, not announced to the audience). Perhaps it wasn't my clock after all - perhaps it was a mental block slowing me down in addition to the few blocks I had to walk.

Marcia Lewis was next on the program. She is currently appearing in the Broadway revival of CHICAGO. As you can tell, I am not a Coward aficionado, so I could only guess at the title of Marcia's first number - something about cats, I think. But give Marcia anything to sing, and she will make a masterpiece of it! vNext on stage was Christian Nova. He looked the epitome of calmness as he introduced his segment of the show, and sat atop the piano to sing "Room With a View." His second number was "Never Again." Chris has such a light touch, such delicate vocals, the audience was breathless.

Host Donald Smith appeared to introduce his co-host of the evening, Sheridan Morley. Somewhere in the past Mr. Morley was a friend of Mr. Coward, and had written a biography of the famous songwriter. Mr. Morley proceeded with a few rather cute stories about Noel - and a few rather boring ones. So what had started as a bright, cheery, fast moving opening was "nipped in the bud."

We were rescued from this malaise by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, who performed two wonderful numbers, "Word Weary," written in 1928 and "Sigh No More," written just after the war. Now, I think I could endure an evening of Noel Coward offerings if Sir Richard were performing them all! vSir Richard stayed at the piano to accompany Jane A. Johnston, who was next on the program. Ms. Johnston also had a Noel Coward story to tell, followed by two Coward ditties: "A Marvelous Party," and "That Is the End of the News." And these two numbers brought to the front of my mind why I so much dreaded an evening of Mr. Coward's songs. First off, many performers feel forced to take on a British accent when singing these songs. Few non-British performers can do this and still be understood. And secondly, so much of the material bears little relevance to today's world. I know I will get an argument on that note.

Next up as a "surprise" guest, Jeene Lehman (I hope I am spelling this correctly, since her name did not appear on the program). Her contribution was a rather languid "Someday, I'll Find You."

A second surprise guest was introduced next, and indeed it was a welcome surprise: Miss Julie Wilson, with a fabulous new blue boa. Now, if you are going to feature a Noel Coward song, bring on Julie! Instantly the house came alive, and instantly Julie took control of the show, introducing an air of excitement not heard all evening. Her second number was a Julie Wilson classic - "The Bar in the Picoline Marina" (excuse my spelling - this one isn't in my "spell-checker"). The thunderous applause that followed was well deserved.

It was intermission. I stepped outside for some fresh air and a quick snack from the deli at the corner. I thought a few moments, and decided. I had seen and heard enough of Noel Coward for one evening. I had seen Julie Wilson giving glorious proof of what a wonderful entertainer she is. I was more than satisfied. It was 7:40 PM.

My apologies to Mr. Coward and Barbara Brussel, Rhondi Charleston, Eric Michael Gillett, Steve Ross, Nuala Willis & Courtney Kenny, Larry Woodard and any other special guests who were scheduled in part two of the evening, and their fans. I hopped on the "B" train at the corner of 43rd and Sixth and headed downtown.

11 minutes later I was in the cozy comfort of EIGHTY EIGHT'S, sipping a cocktail, and seeing Barbara Seith's WEB SITE STORY show for the second time. It was a "Noel Coward Free Zone." And what an excellent choice! I had seen Barbara's show on opening night, and frankly, I was not even going to write about it. What an amazing metamorphosis in the passing of only two weeks! The show sparkled, the timing was on the numbers, and what had been a plodding, lifeless show the first time around was now an exciting and entertaining evening of cabaret!

SATURDAY'S SHOW is a tribute to Frank Sinatra and features Judy Barnett, Charles Cermele, Mary Foster Conklin, Jackie & Roy, Audrey Morris, Sarah Partridge, Teri Lynn Paul, Tom Postilio, Daryl Sherman, "String of Pearls," Billy Stritch and Ronny Whyte.

On to Cabaret Convention Night Six Saturday, October 17, 1998

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