Marissa Mulder sings “Look to Your Heart” the songs of Jimmy Van Heusen on November 16th and December 14th at the Metropolitan Room.
The Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
New York, New York
“I am thrilled to be bringing back my show ” Look to Your Heart” the songs of Jimmy Van Heusen to the Metropolitan Room Wednesday, November 16th and Wednesday, December 14th at 9:30 pm. Just like me, Jimmy Van Heusen was born in Syracuse New York. He came to New York City in the early 1930′s and went on to become one of the most prolific songwriters of all time. He wrote the music for twenty three Bing Crosby films and wrote more songs recorded by Frank Sinatra than any other composer. He wrote some of his biggest hits when he was just a kid in Syracuse. He owned several of his own airplanes and was always creating some kind of mischief. His centennial is just around the corner in 2013, so there’s plenty to celebrate. I will be joined by my musical director Bill Zeffiro on piano, John Loerkhe on Bass and Rex Benincasa on drums. We had a ball doing the show in June and are so very excited to be doing it again. There is a fifteen dollar cover charge and a two drink minimum. Five dollar discount for MAC and Cabaret Hotline Online members. For reservations call the Metropolitan Room at 212-206-0440. I would so love to have you there!”
Courtesy marissamulder.com
The Metrostar Challenge (cabaret’s version of “American Idol”) just wrapped up its fourth season on August 29th. Although there have been so many bright lights from its first three seasons, this year’s Top Five was perhaps the best yet as a group. All were consistently solid and deserve mention: Stacey Todd Holt, Fran Leonardis, Marissa Mulder, Maria Ottavia, and Stacie Perlman.
And the winner is… Marissa Mulder. The red-headed stunner was able to project innocence and a wide-open heart, both of which almost made you overlook her sophisticated musical chops. On the final night, she brought glorious wonder to an imaginative arrangement of “Come Fly With Me” and sincere and glowing expression to “But Beautiful.” Her prize will be an all-expenses-paid five-night booking at the club early next year.
“I am so surprised and so excited,” Marissa told me soon after the finale. “The Metropolitan Room is the greatest room in the city and to be asked to do a show is a dream come true.”
I asked her what she had learned most from the often-grueling grind of the eight-week contest. “It’s about never giving up and having faith in yourself and in your choices and making every moment count,” she said. “I tried not to compare myself to others and just do what I do and I feel I finally broke through something and let people see more of the real me.”
Mulder grew up in Syracuse, right around the corner from her grandparents, who introduced her to the music of Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald and others. “My Grampa always told me I was an old soul,” Marissa said. “The music spoke to me and the lyrics and the beauty of those songs never fade away.”
Last year’s winner, T. Oliver Reid-who also made a sensational guest appearance on the final night-ended up playing the Cabaret Convention in the fall, earned a rave from the New York Times, had two runs of his show, is working on his first recording, and this month plays the famed Gardenia in Hollywood.
Read more at www.marissamulder.com
