ON THE SINGING CIRCUIT: October 30 - NOVEMBER 12 2024

OCTOBER 30, 2024

So here we are in the last third of the year. I had three playreadings of The Radon Daughters on The Staten Island Ferry, three cabaret performances of Too High and appeared in Hudson three times, Presidents Day, Indigenous Peoples Day and Gay Pride and there is the upcoming Christmas Show. Isn’t three that magic comic number? Nothing at present feels funny to me.

I suspect it is the politics of the day. I am losing my sense of humor. The threat of a fascist state, the reports of all the many millions who support Trump and a myriad of other complex grief laden personal issues kill my humor.

I wish I could have done more and more successfully and yet I think this may be it.  I just don’t think I can keep on with the self-producing of the cabaret shows etc…but let it rest for now. No serious decision today.

I have been painting and continue to work on that. There is so much imperfection in this process but It is the only creative activity I can explore that doesn’t involve an audience at least initially.

The Radon Daughters on The Staten Island Ferry, the Playreading. The first, I now realize, was not this year. It was July 2023 at the club, 53 Above. My friend Jason Ellis is the Director of this club which is also a comedy club. There was a problem with overbooking and in an amateur move the production was aborted before the reading was even completed. This was the worst thing that ever happened to me in all my weird avant-garde work over the years. I had a great audience and cast and it was so horribly unprofessional to have the reading stopped midway. In the audience we had producers, writers and other professionals. I had invited them all saying this was a political revue and following the reading I needed, we needed, their input. On stage there were terrific actors. The reading was aborted. There was nothing I could say. I cried.

We never recovered. In subsequent readings I never got many of those people, the actors and the audience back. 

The Radon Daughters on The Staten Island Ferry, is about civic education and an intergenerational effort to address the challenges to democracy. It is a political revue culminating in  open discussion with the audience. I have written several scenes and conceptualized the event, but other writers are included addressing issues of freedom. 

This year, I struggled again to set up a reading. I went to several places in the village, but it’s not like the old days of The Frolics (a weekly open mic I ran in Village many years), where I could approach a restaurant and say I will bring a bunch of people for a reading who will buy food and drink. They all want a guaranteed amount for food and drink. 

The next reading was at The Revelation Gallery in the Village. Revelation Gallery is a part of St John’s Episcopal Church. Here too the Reverend wanted a fee. I said it was a benefit for the church’s community programs as well as SAGE and I couldn’t pay the fee. He waived it and I was grateful.

This event was intended to be an art fair and reading. None of the village visual artists from Julius’ were available, so I held up that end with my own paintings. In the past, I have had several art shows at Julius’, a gay bar on West 10th. Different visual artists had initially been interested. In the end it was only me holding up the visual art end. Also, Bill Sattan brought jewelry from his workshops and Tom Bernadine brought books and village maps.  

One of the best things about this reading was at the very end I got a photo of audience and actors holding my paintings of patriots. A great photo! 

A principal part which in the previous reading was read by Karolina, a Polish immigrant who is a bartender in Brooklyn from whom the role was based. Karolina is a tall zoftig beautiful blonde with matching  personality. She played the part of the leader of the performance group who is helping the seniors in presenting the civic education program with a performance of Radon songs along with the new song, On The Staten Island Ferry.  After the previous debacle, the ‘real’ Karolina was unavailable, as was Dorothea Gloria an excellent Asian actress who I was thrilled to have as part of a diverse cast. 

I was fortunately able to engage a trans actor to play Karolina and a brilliant young 20-year-old Jessica Knowles to play Dorothea’s part. The theatre producers and directors who comprised the audience of the first reading never returned.

The discussion following the reading was pretty good.  Tom, the map vendor got up to say goodbye and I went to give him a hug. Others thought that was the cue for the ending and the group started breaking up. Consequently, the conversation was somewhat shortened. I had been leading the discussion. It was my fault as I went for the hug.

The third reading was at Stonewall. Aaron Morishita, Lois DeLong and Jimmy Tomkins were readers as they had been for the previous readings and deserve special mention. Jimmy read his humorous observations about people on the ferry. Lois wrote a new monolog about being an older woman and being invisible as well as her American Dream Gatsby speech. The discussion went very well. We were joined by David Hillman and Anna Feil in the audience, as well as some who I didn’t know. Yay! Jessica Diero Berryessa, an occupational therapist from Brooklyn, admirably read the role of Karolina. 

I was also inspired by the readings of wonderful performing and cabaret artists, Carlos Acosta, Bill Goffi and Chauncey Daindridge who joined us for this event. Chauncey, Stonewall’s tech director wrote of democratic freedom. Carlos was truly my inspiration with his enthusiasm bringing the generous and gentile musician Bill Goffi to help with the Radon Daughter music. 

Although I wanted to have this third reading, I was losing heart. It was important that we do the reading before the election. To provide a forum for discussion, if for nothing else but support for each other and our belief in democracy.  Yet, I was discouraged. It seemed a little like pulling teeth, herding cats, whatever…. Carlos Acosta encouraged me. Carlos is a wonderful performer and writer with a unique joyful wit that was hard to ignore. Thank you, Carlos, for keeping me smiling!

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Simultaneously, Too High, my memoir about my time with Anita O’Day, continued at Don’t Tell Mama. It is also a memoir about my mother, my work with the homeless, my social work life and our commitment to life as artists. Anita, who I knew in her last year here in NYC at the end of her life, is the connection to all the other parts. 

There were three shows under the direction of Aaron Morishita and with Ricky Ritzel at the piano. Each performance tweaked here and there. The last was the best and James Gavin, author of many books including Intimate Nights, about the cabaret world, was there with the great Sydney Myer and wrote a wonderful comment about the show. We have put his words on the website Anita O’Day tribute page.  https://bronwynrucker.com/anita-oday-tribute

And now to Hudson New York and the Red Dot. It has been 8 years that I have been going to Hudson for the shows at the Red Dot Restaurant. The amazing Alana Hauptmann has opened her doors to many artists. She, as well, is a singer and participates in all our shows under the auspices of 3A Productions and the Red Dot. 3Aproducers are John Philip and Andrew Loren Resto with James Keith Moore as Stage Manager. We do at least three shows a year. Additionally, the last 3 years Bronwyn’s Christmas Show has been at the Red Dot. 

There are many great Hudson based performers participating along with Alana, John and Andrew. Also included are Kate Medhus, Terrence Law, Ophelia Nightly, Kevin Weldon, Sky Blakiston, Sandi Blakistan, Gregg Shephard, Mary Ellen Ryan, Nea McKinney (Sister Red Hawk), Stephanie Monseu Moranda Morai and Rose Levine. 

February, we began with Rose Levine’s Hello Gorgeous. In June The Art of The Gay celebrated Hudson Gay Pride. No one beats drag performers Miranda Morai and Rose Levine in lovely craziness. 2024 was the second time we had Indigenous People Day with Sister Red Hawk blessing us with her unique sound poetry, singing bowls and special prayers. And closing out this year will again be Bronwyn’s Christmas Show and Sing a Long, joined again by wonderful Hudson artists. 

Great talent and great spirit are the primary elements in all Red Dot performances. The Blakiston twins play amazing stride piano and Kate Medhus and Andrew provide extraordinary cabaret dance. Stalwart singers such as myself, John and Terrence joyfully hold up the singing end. This year the great Ricky Ritzel has been at the piano and we’ve been recently joined by cabaret artist Mary Ellen Ryan. Ricky, Mary Ellen and myself performed special tribute to our immigrant populations with particular attention to Italian Americans. Mary Ellen and Ricky played Louis Prima and Keely Smith and I sandwiched their routine with “That’s Amore.” Audience joined in happily. It was much fun!

My favorite part of the Indigenous People show aside from Sister Hawk’s blessing was Terrence Law’s “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” (Oscar Hammerstein); also Kate Medhus and Andrew’s romantic dance. I also always enjoy just about anything Miranda Morai does. Although this show was particularly heartfelt by all.

I look forward to Bronwyn's Christmas Show & Sing-A-Long at the Red Dot on Saturday, December 14.

Other shows I have seen this year include the debut cabaret shows of John Philip and Woody Regan. Both were great and they are at the beginning of their solo careers and I salute them. I have been performing in cabaret shows since 1980. Woody played for me in my very first cabaret, The Subway Named Desire back then at the original Duplex on Grove Street in the Village that year. John aside from our recent history at Red Dot with 3A Productions, joined forces with me many years ago to help with my weekly Frolics in the Village. It is quite wonderful to have such a history with such remarkable artists. 

Spent a few hours recently at Marie's Crisis in the Village wherein I sang as well as others. In my past I ‘hung out’ here much more than I do these days. This place is truly the root of the Singing Circuit. So many of us began our ‘frolicking’ there. The wonderful James Merillat at was at the piano, joined by regulars Francisca Bertolini and Diana Bertolini and the writer John McWhorter. Alex B Piano another Marie's pianist was also there singing. Francisca, Diana and Alex came to the last performance of my show Too High and I was so happy to see them and thank them!

In October I also saw a fascinating show at City Center. It was Fatherland, Conceived and Directed by Stephen Sachs of the Fountain Theatre Company in LA. All based on transcripts of a court case of a man who participated in the Jan 6 Insurrection at the Capital. His young son turned him in for his ever-increasing and worrisome right-wing activities. They called it  ‘Verbatim Theatre’. All performers were good but particularly arresting was the actor Ron Botitta who played the Father, the now imprisoned insurrectionist. 

So, I return to my opening discouragement and the election as we do what we can to prevent fascism. It is scary and my singing circuit helps me keep my mind a little free but it ain’t so easy. Tuesday is the election, and I admit to having just a little anxiety. Today I am staying in my Park Slope neighborhood going to see the famous Karolina who is tending bar today at Sharlene’s. I will wear my  , la shirt.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024

I wore my shirt. The bar was packed. Spoke a little to Karolina who was very busy. Met with other friends. No one said anything about my shirt. The silence makes me nervous. 

So, I return to my opening discouragement and the election as we do what we can to prevent fascism.  It is scary and my singing circuit helps me keep my mind a little free but it ain’t so easy. Tuesday is the election, and I admit to having just a little anxiety. Today I am staying in my Park Slope neighborhood going to see the famous Karolina who is tending bar today at Sharlenes. I will wear my   , la shirt.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

Racism, Misogyny, Greed  the holy trinity…selective reasoning, miscommunication, misinformation, ignorance, selective denial, fear, anger, racism….many reasons are part of the reasoning for the big T win. FEAR RAGE RACISM MYSOGYNY IGNORANCE AT THE THE TOP OF THE LIST…..AND the 10 million who didn’t vote!!!

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Karolina said she saw my Kamala Shirt but as I was sitting she did not see the ‘la’. She thought the very large red comma was a Japanese design.  Well, that explains one person. However, I feel the silence spoke to resistance, shall I say ‘fear’ of many to state any conflict, to express in these very partisan times any disagreement or honest feelings that may ruffle feathers. In retrospect of the outstanding GOP sweep, the silence I now find prophetic.

When I first workshopped On the Staten Island Ferry at Village Senior Centers one of the actors, a liberal leaning actor was afraid we would offend republican seniors.  That was the point, to engage in discussion, to address the controversy, to talk to each other. Yet, there was fear then.  There was that silence and look what happened, an overwhelming GOP win.  I didn’t expect that. I as many other democrats were astonished and to say the very least find it again ‘worrisome’.

I forgot to mention in my last entry the cast member Sarah Wonsever who played the part of Elizabeth. Sarah is bartender at Smith’s Tavern on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn and is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.  She is not a trained actor. This I found to be one of the pleasures of the Stonewall reading as the actresses reading the parts of the Radon Daughters, Jessica Knowles, Jessica Diero Berryessa and Sarah were not professionals and added a ‘freshness’ which spoke to the content of the project and to their individual commitment.

Sunday November 7, I saw Regeneration Theatre’s Skyscraper, a 1960 musical comedy.  It was much fun!  It was directed and choreographed by Avital Asuleen, an MFA directing student who did a fabulous job.  The choreography was terrific, very clever and creative. I particularly liked the tapdancing auction!  The cast, all experienced musical comedy actors danced wonderfully and clearly respected the direction of Ms. Asuleen as they lovingly sang Happy Birthday to her at curtain call.

Skyscraper is an old fashioned somewhat dated musical of the time when sexist behavior abounds. This is the first revival ever done anywhere. Much of the score was not even on record. Barnaby Edwards, the General Manager and Founder of Regeneration Theatre, credits the brilliance of Mathew Stern the musical director for creating the scores and musical arrangements of the innovative music of Sammy Kahn and James Van Huesen.   The musicians: Ben Rigney (conductor, piano), Lindsay Rosenberg (Bass) and Ian Weidman (Reeds) were live behind the screen and sounded terrific.

All the singing was very accomplished. These were all experienced musical comedy performers and at times I felt I was watching a diabetes commercial.  Not really. This cast and the choreography was so much better, but there is a stylized thing that is only found in musical theatre which I find enjoyable, even in that horrible commercial. 

The content as said is a bit dated.  I overheard a group of young men talking after the show amazed at the sexual politic.  “Can you imagine talking to someone like that?”  and comments as to why ‘marriage’ was the resolution for the female lead’s malady, which was too much imagination, day dreaming... Really, let’s call the woman crazy.

The female lead was Rachel Lauren James. Originally this was played by Julie Harris.  Ms. James acted best in the songs as well as displayed a beautiful singing voice, but in the ‘talking parts’ she was not as skilled, particularly ‘the angry talking parts’.  Her rants were delivered in a rush with no center and little diction.  This is the beauty of song as rhythm and content are expressed with the help of composer/lyricist designated timing.  Ms. James work was admirable none the less. I particularly enjoyed her dancing with the chorus.

The chorus was outstanding.  Katryna Marttala demonstrated exceptional musical skill. Her voice particularly in choral numbers blended beautifully providing a remarkable base with the others. All the performers danced fabulously and were enthusiastically on target.

Also listened this week to the documentary Moon is the Oldest TV. This is the story of Nam June Paik, a revolutionary, a radical and one of the founding fathers of experimental theatre and music. He is most noted as the originator of video art. He predicted the internet and was the first to coin the phrase, ‘the information highway’.  Later he said that he was wrong to refer to the internet that way; that it was more a ship in the sea that can’t find the shore.

Nam June was a colleague and friend of John Cage. Their work was about rethinking, turning upside down, destroying preconceptions to create new forms of theatre and art.

Radical thinking and action in experimental theatre and music had it’s heyday in the early 60’s and 70’s. Maybe now is the time for all artists to rethink and experiment; to redefine previous concepts of art and life. Interesting Skyscraper certainly was not experimental but maybe for the world of musical theatre it was reflecting the norms and culture of the day.  None the less it is time for artists to make art. Rethinking the experiment is needed in all aspects of this life.  Nam June Paik inspired me to rethink my experiment, to play and have fun and it was fun seeing Skyscraper!! There is room for all.