DANA LORGE HOSTS GREAT TALENT

Comedian-singer-actress Dana Lorge has been entertaining for many years.  I believe I met her in the mid 70s both working as "extras" in a movie.  Both living in Queens and a bit of the same ilk.  I left show biz, she didn't.  Lately she has been hosting an array of talent in some of the New York City nite clubs.  This particular evening took me to the Metropolitan Room, located at 34 W. 22nd Street.

The lineup started with singer-actor Richard Skipper

followed by jazz singer Sue Matsuki.

Dana did her comic banter in between each performer the next being Nicolas Tamagna, a countertenor who sang two songs each in a different range.

We then had Sidney Myer, who does the bookings for Don't Tell Mama

and lastly, pianist-singer Mark Nadler who had us in much laughter performing his rendition of "I Love A Piano".  

 

There is a cover charge and drink minimum at this venue.  I decided to indulge in a drink called "Cosmo-Pear-Itan" made with Absolute Pear Vodka, pear nectar, triple sec and lime.  Delicious.
Being just a bit hungry I opted for the Mediterranean plate consisting of: olive tapenade with feta cheese; roasted red peppers and artichoke tapenade; stuffed grape leaf, hummus, mixed olives and enough mini-pita breads to accompany.  There was certainly no disappointment on taste.  Filling enough for one person.  Sharing if you already had dinner. 

Dana Lorge will be back there on September 8th for a late afternoon lineup: Judy Scott; Vivian Reed, Frans Bloom, Yaffa, and Lois Morton.  Dana certainly has a great snack for delivering talent and that includes herself. www.metropolitanroom.com

IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WON'T COME

For those of you old enough, the name Joe Franklin will stir up memories.  In fact, the name of his talk show of years ago was called, “Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane”.  I think just about everyone in show business was invited to appear on his tv talk show or interviewed on his long time radio show.   He’s close to 90 years old now and still maintains a radio show.

He had recently appeared at a jazz night club called The Metropolitan Room, where occasionally there is a non-jazz artist.   The ad listed the “Invited Guests” as: Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Julia Roberts, Liza Minnelli, Woody Allen, Pat Cooper and Michael Feinstein.   Bernie Furshpan was there as his “side-kick” and not one of “the invited” showed up.   The audience had many entertainers who appeared with him.

The Metropolitan Room, located at 34 W. 22^nd Street, is a pretty decent sized club…bit smaller than Below 54 with the same sort of set up regarding seating… cabaret style with some oval booths and long tables.  Like most of the clubs, there is a cover charge and drink or food minimum.   Acoustics are fine and so is the service.  Check out their schedule.

Films of old shows were shown behind the piano player and a setup of Joe doing his radio show was the focus.  He did tell jokes…some “blue”.   Christine Pedi who has been seen often in the Forbidden Broadway shows, sang a few.  A few other performers entertained.   Everyone was given a copy of Joe Franklin’s Great Entertainment Trivia Game.  

As for me, I was on his tv show once in the late 60’s and again sometime in the 70s.   I seem to recall his son Brad doing his first talk show on HBO and having both myself and dad as the guests.   All was memorable.