Our first Swingin’ The Standards in our new home, The Playground at the Adrienne, was a smashing success! What an incredible crowd. They clapped and snapped along with the music, they moved in their seats, someone even got up and danced. And that standing ovation at the end was just icing on the cake. Suffice to say, this was the kind of audience every performer dreams about.
You can see photos from the event here (click the link or the image at left):
Five Minute Follies presents Swingin’ The Standards, Aug 5th, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA
And speaking of our performers, thanks to each and every one of them for a stellar set. Show-stopper and Follies fave Tamara “Soul of a Chanteuse” Anderson wowed ‘em with good ol’ classics like “Anything Goes” and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” … and her soul-stirring tribute to Mahalia Jackson had ‘em stompin’ and hollerin’. One-Man Rat Pack Dave DeLuca charmed the socks off the crowd with his pitch perfect renditions of “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. Class act Rebecca Shoemaker delivered a beautiful and heartwarming “At Last” and a bravura “Orange Colored Sky”. And Brian Anthony Wilson was, once again, a revelation. Opening with a tender “My Funny Valentine”, following up with a soaring “What Kind of Fool Am I”, snappin’ and smilin’ through a groovy “I Get a Kick Out of You”, and finishing with a “Fly Me to the Moon” that was both swingin’ and heartfelt — what a performer!
But wait, there was more:
Remember how amazing Darryl “The Voice” Thompson was at the April Swingin’ The Standards? Well, take that, and triple it. When he opened with “The Best is Yet To Come”, he wasn’t just whistlin’ Dixie. His interpretation of “Singin’ in the Rain” was both unusual and thrilling. And his “Nature Boy” took the tune to all kinds of places, including a land of vocal improvisation that was just plain cool. The show ended on a high note indeed, when City Crooner Charlie Shoes took the stage. He snapped out an “Artificial Flowers” that would have had Bobby Darin up on his feet. He crooned a lovely and delicate “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. And his “Mack the Knife” was the very definition of a “Big Finish”.
We would be remiss if we did not also thank the following people, without whom these shows would not be possible:
Our stalwart stage manager John Carlin; our super efficient sound and lighting tech Paul Jerue; house staff volunteer Clarissa Brodkin; our always understanding and ever helpful contact at the Adrienne, Joe Koroly; my wife Kristie and her parents Stan and Marie (they drove up from Maryland for the show!) for love, encouragement and support; and one more hand, please, for our incredible audience.
We’ve got a lot more Swingin’ The Standards and Five Minute Follies variety shows coming up. You can see details of our upcoming shows below. Keep an eye out for performer updates. Your faves will be coming back! And if there’s someone you want to see again, drop us a line and let us know. Email michaelsubvert@msn.com.
And don’t forget, the best way to stay up to date on show info, ticket discounts and more is to join our Mailing List. Just enter your email in the box at the top right of this page and click “subscribe”.
See you soon!
SUNDAY, SEPT 23rd, 2012
Five Minute Follies presents
THE FIVE MINUTE FOLLIES VARIETY EXTRAVAGANZA
PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Comedian Christian Dorsey
Hoop Dancer Sarah Maccarelli
Singer Jim Thomas
MORE TBA
@The Adrienne Theatre (Playground)
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Click here for directions to the Adrienne Theatre
Doors 2:30pm
Show 3pm
ALL AGES
General Admission $15 advance, $18 at the door
Questions? Email michaelsubvert@msn.com or call 610-931-1690.
FRIDAY, SEPT 28th, 2012
Five Minute Follies presents
TELLING STORIES
An Evening of Spoken Word
PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Michael Broussard
John Frisby
Carol Anne Mueller
Laura Sukonick
MORE TBA
@THE ROTUNDA
4014 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Click here for directions to the Rotunda
Doors 7:30pm
Show 8pm
SOME MATERIAL MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES
General Admission $10 advance, $12 at the door
Questions? Email michaelsubvert@msn.com or call 610-931-1690.
SUNDAY, OCT 21st, 2012
Five Minute Follies presents
SWINGIN’ THE STANDARDS
A Tribute to the Great American Songbook
PERFORMERS TBA
@The Adrienne Theatre (Playground)
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Click here for directions to the Adrienne Theatre
Doors 2:30pm
Show 3pm
ALL AGES
General Admission $15 advance, $18 at the door
Questions? Email michaelsubvert@msn.com or call 610-931-1690.
SUNDAY, NOV 18th, 2012
Five Minute Follies presents
THE FIVE MINUTE FOLLIES VARIETY EXTRAVAGANZA
An evening of Ed-Sullivan-style variety entertainment suitable for the entire family!
PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Belly Dancer Fatima Bassmah
Singer Geoff Bruen
Comedian Ian Koranek
Illusionist Anthony Salazar
MORE TBA
@The Adrienne Theatre (Playground)
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Click here for directions to the Adrienne Theatre
Doors 2:30pm
Show 3pm
ALL AGES
General Admission $15 advance, $18 at the door
Questions? Email michaelsubvert@msn.com or call 610-931-1690.
SUNDAY, DEC 16th, 2012
Five Minute Follies presents
A SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS
A Holiday Tribute to the Great American Songbook
PERFORMERS INCLUDE:
Joanne Clendining accompanied by Jason Mento
Tina Siciliano (The Little Girl with the Big Voice)
Darryl Thompson, Jr.
MORE TBA
@The Adrienne Theatre (Playground)
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Click here for directions to the Adrienne Theatre
Doors 2:30pm
Show 3pm
ALL AGES
General Admission $15 advance, $18 at the door
Questions? Email michaelsubvert@msn.com or call 610-931-1690.
