When someone says to you that they recently watched a show in New York, your first thought would most likely veer to one of those famous Broadway and off-Broadway productions. You instantly think of classics such as Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera or new favorites such as The Lion King and West Side Story. With so many large scale commercial productions to choose from, it's very easy to overlook a New York classic: live big band performances.
Big band performances have been a jewel piece of the night scene dating back to the swing days of the 1920's. There's something special about its intimate setting, the live band in view with the pianist tinkling away the melody, and the stage light illuminating the evening's star singer. Maybe its because I'm a cliche black-and-white-movie-loving-romantic, but I would easily pass off a ticket to a cliche pop singer's concert for one of these performances.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend (courtesy of my fabulous father) one of the best NYC shows of the season: the final performance of Lea Salonga at the Cafe Carlyle. Filipino legend Lea Salonga ran an intimate show at the famously classic Upper East Side hotel for 3 weeks and featured a selection of her best songs and a few classics.
Perhaps its the authenticity of the show: the lack of voice alterations and the impossibility of a performer lip-syncing their way through a show without the audience noticing that makes a big band performance very special. Maybe its the fact that these special performances only run for a few short weeks, and when they're over, they're gone until the next run. I'm not entirely sure, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night than to be captivated in this time-stilled ambiance and forget about the city for a few short hours.
Perhaps its the authenticity of the show: the lack of voice alterations and the impossibility of a performer lip-syncing their way through a show without the audience noticing that makes a big band performance very special. Maybe its the fact that these special performances only run for a few short weeks, and when they're over, they're gone until the next run. I'm not entirely sure, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night than to be captivated in this time-stilled ambiance and forget about the city for a few short hours.
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| Backstage post-show. |
Lea Salonga is a Filipino singer and actress. She was the original actress to portray Kim in the musical Miss Saigon and was the first Asian to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine in the Broadway musical Les Miserables. She also provided the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan. She is now preparing for her next Broadway production: Allegiance. 
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