On Sunday, December 3rd, New York City cabaret hotspot Don’t Tell Mama was exceptionally packed– but not just with audience members, as is almost always the case.  On this night, there was lots of good will and (way) more than just one small thrill.  The event was THE SEASON: Straight Up, With a Twist, a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Hosted with humor and chutzpah by the lovely Goldie Dver, the event was directed by Dver’s friend and frequent creative collaborator James “Jamie” Beaman, with musical direction by Michael Roberts.  What’s perhaps most astonishing is just how much talent, energy, and sense of charity was packed into the show’s tight running time.  The artists’ seemingly perfect choices of music were a mix of re-energized holiday classics (We Need a Little Christmas), original songs (Christmas in Bed), and unearthed musical gems just begging to be heard again (Never Fall in Love with an Elf). 

But of course, the event’s big calling card was the lineup of 15 diverse performers, each of whom could undoubtedly carry a whole show on their own.  How appropriate, then, to start that lineup with cabaret superhero Sidney Myer.  Myer has already proven himself to be a force in New York City’s nightlife culture, with everything from being a mover and shaker behind the scenes, to the simple but oh-so-valuable gesture of frequently attending the shows of both new and established performers.  That night, however, was a reminder of why Myer is a praised performer as well.  Myer gave the crowd a new take on Santa Baby, with his distinctive delivery and some reworked lyrics (“Santa won’t you grant my fond-est wish: A plat-ter of ge-filte fish! “) Before you could say “after Christmas sale”, Goldie Dver joined Myer onstage for a laugh-out-loud duet of Baby It’s Cold Outside, with the song’s so-called “traditional” genders reversed: For this one, Goldie was the seductress and Myer was the shy one (Shy guys are an endangered species nowadays…!).  It was funny, clever, and a great use of Myer’s and Dver’s individual idiosyncratic talents. The audience must have collectively asked themselves, “How are they gonna top THIS?“

But about those 15 performers: Goldie Dver didn’t just announce the lineup: She sang about it in Just Leave Everything to Me, an adaptation of Jerry Herman’s classic from Hello, Dolly! with reworked lyrics by Jamie Beaman: Everyone in the show was mentioned in the song! It takes moxie to be able to create lyrics like, “I’ve got Lisa Viggiano, talented Italiano…! “  This version could should be considered a new cabaret classic as we approach 2024.   Next up was Tracy Stark, with her original and beautiful Perfect Christmas.  She joked that it was “in keeping with the tradition of Jews writing Christmas songs”! (Others, FYI, include Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Santa Baby, and many more.) The song was, well… “perfect”.  Next up was Meg Flather.  It’s worth mentioning at this time that while all the performers of the night were warmly received, Flather’s entrance to the stage was exceptionally enthusiastic (Remember that for later…).  She met those expectations and then some, giving the audience a zesty new incarnation of the eternal Auld Lang Syne segueing into her own original It’s About Time.  Flather also offered some inspirational words for the dawn of 2024: “What’s interesting about our community is: We’re not youngsters.  And I really love that!  We’re just getting started– and we’re getting better, and better, and better with age!”  Brava! When Stark joined Flather on vocals, the result was no less than transcendent.  If Dver’s performance two songs earlier should be considered a new staple in the proverbial Great New York City Cabaret Songbook, then Flather’s piece should become a new classic for New Year’s Eve (my favorite holiday, incidentally…)

Tanya Moberly was up next.  From the minute she stepped on to the stage, she was in full control: sassy, funny, and no less than perfect with the offbeat Christmas song You’d Better Say Yes.  Moberly was followed by Craig Pomeranz, who sang Let It Snow.  This transgenerational Christmas staple has been redone seemingly countless times, but this version was proof positive of the true impact of live performance, particularly in a venue as intimate as Don’t Tell Mama.  It was robust and dynamic.  Next up was Aaron Lee Battle.  Battle sang Feeling Good, and his version reached some previously unseen, soulful new heights.  Even the staidest of audience members (all three of them…) were visibly blown away by Battles’ roof-raising rendition.  Trust me, I was looking!  

Amongst a lineup of seasoned cabaret performers– most of whom had their own solo shows and many of whom had recorded their own CD’s– there was a performer who was making a “return” of sorts to cabaret: Vayle. This was her first time performing for a live audience in a while, but no one would have known it.  (I only knew myself because her friends, sitting at the same table as I, told me so…)  Performing the well-chosen I’m Your Christmas Present, she was sexy, funny, and charismatic.  Vayle was followed by Lennie Watts, who gave the crowd the underappreciated Celebrate Me Home.  His version was soulful, bluesy perfection… and a real crowd-pleaser.  Next up was Alex De Suze, who gave the audience the offbeat holiday gem Five Pound Box of Money. Originally made famous by Pearl Bailey, the song was perfectly suited for De Suze’s sassy charms.  This just might be my new favorite holiday song! 

So, back to that aforementioned “exceptional enthusiasm”: Richard Skipper proved to be another audience favorite, from the moment he stepped on stage with show-stealing sparkly red shoes.  Speaking of stealing the show: Skipper did just that with his joyous We Need a Little Christmas, complete with “candles in the window and (ahem…) CAROLS at the spinet”.  The song, in case you didn’t know, was from the Jerry Herman musical Mame. Jamie Beaman was Director of the show that night, but he didn’t just stay “behind the scenes”: A dynamic performer as well, Beaman sang the offbeat Never Fall in Love With an Elf, with lyrics like “His endless talk of Christmastown, Will test your every nerve; Still, he’s kinda cute I guess, Well, if you grade on a curve; And though you vowed you’d never sing, Just look at yourself!  You’re halfway through a Christmas song called ‘Never Fall in Love with an Elf'”. (You’re welcome…)

Many people object to using an “X” for “XMAS”… but I’ve yet to meet anyone who objects to the “X” in “SEXY”!  With the unambiguously named Christmas in Bed (her own original song), Carolyn Montgomery reminded us that “naughty” can be nice… and that the most fun on Christmas usually comes AFTER the kids go to bed.  It was yet another showstopper in an evening of many.  The lovely Lisa Viggiano was next on stage, performing the provocative We Live on Borrowed Time.  Her performance was no less than stellar. For a finale (Or was it?) Goldie was joined onstage with Alex DeSuze and Vayle, all with candles in hand, for The Chanukah Song (No, not THAT one!)  But just the audience thought they’d be sent home for the night, there was an encore.  Normally I would never reveal the encore of a show, but in this case, I have to reveal that the surprise guest was… Santa! (The Santa turned out to be Michael L. Walters,) Santa didn’t just “Ho, ho, ho!”.  He chose the raffle winners for the MANY prizes, and even sang a song: White Christmas.   

THE SEASON: Straight Up, With a Twist was patently a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital… but the sheer magnitude of generosity of the evening took some time to comprehend. In addition to the performers and musicians who donated their time, many sponsors donated very valuable prizes to raffle off.  Audience members, likewise, were definitely NOT stingy about buying many raffle tickets. The talents and the music of the evening may have been inspiring, but it was matched by the spirit of charity and goodwill towards all.  2024 is looking great already!

THE SEASON: Straight Up, With a Twist was hosted by Goldie Dver, and featured direction by James Beaman and musical direction by Michael Roberts.  The musicians included Michael Roberts on piano, John Miller on bass, and Chip M. Fabrizi on percussion. To make a post-show contribution, visit: DIY Holidays: THE SEASON: STRAIGHT UP – WITH A TWIST! – St. Jude Holidays (stjude.org)