Marilyn Maye Master Class
“THE ART OF PERFORMANCE” at Don’t Tell Mama
Lessons in cabaret are few and far between, but a lucky group of artists got the lesson of their lives this past Saturday morning.
The cabaret community is not normally a morning crowd, but these performers make an exception for Marilyn Maye, whose Master Class began at 10am in what would become the bustling back room at Don’t Tell Mama. Even Sidney Meyer was at the door to greet the excited participants as they came in one by one, carrying their binders full of music.
Let me first tell you how I got here, even though I do not sing. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Deb Berman, Marilyn’s Educational Assistant. I was telling her I was a blogger and that I just adore Marilyn. Out of the blue she invited me to blog the process of the Master class, and I immediately accepted. I mean, how could I resist? Marilyn Maye is the ultimate performer, and to get an inside look at how she makes that magic happen on the stage is an honor for me and a gift for those who are looking to hone their performance skills.
Marilyn is the first thing you see when you enter. She is in the center of the room, perky as ever, organizing her station where she will sit for the next five hours, listening and critiquing some dozen artists and 20-plus arrangements. You know she is ready to get down to business trimmed in bold framed glasses. Master of the keys, Barry Levitt sat at the brand new baby grand piano providing accompaniment for the session.
I could never have been prepared for what I was about to witness. Marilyn took the stage and opened the class looking chic in black and gray. Her top was adorned with a huge three-dimensional STAR fish” and, as I always say, “If the starfish fits!” Her lesson begins simply with how to handle the microphone: how to hold it, where to place it.
“It’s not all about singing.” She speaks in detail about stage technique, the bridge, segue, and underscoring. I won’t tell you much more because there is a reason you pay for this instruction. Take the class. I’ve been to hundreds of cabaret shows and never thought about all that goes into each one, and I now understand why some people shine and others do not. It isn’t just about having a great voice; rather, the presentation and technique play huge roles in a successful performance. Marilyn took her seat and before the first performer took the stage I heard someone say to her “You are magnificent. I already got my money’s worth.” This pretty much says it all.
As each performer takes the stage she busily takes notes on her copy of their lyrics providing honest critique on all aspects of the performance, from changing keys to length of chords, modulation, hand gestures, and patter. She shouts out “breathe dah dah dah, breathe.” She knows every lyric, I realize as I watch her mouth, sometimes interrupting the song to say “there is no (this); delete (that).” It was incredible how the slightest adjustment changed everything. Marilyn is truly the master of her craft and methodically nipped and tucked at each performance like a skilled plastic surgeon of music. The 3pm hour came and went with still more performers to go. They all got their turn, and the class ran past 4pm.
Some may not have liked that their music will need to be re-written, changing it to the key of B Flat from C, but she was right every time. If you have lost your “note” or can’t find it, I recommend you give Marilyn a call. –ThisbroadSway 11/12/16
By popular demand, there will be another Master Class on Saturday, November 19th, at 10am. Marilyn also provides private lessons on a limited basis. For more information, contact Deb Berman at 917-796-3912 or deb550@gmail.com.
Marilyn will be performing two shows on New Year’s Eve at The Metropolitan Room located at 34 West 22 S in NYC at 7:30 and 10 pm and at 7 pm on January 5, 6, 7, 11, 12,13 & 14. For reservations: call 212 206-0440 or visit http://metropolitanroom.com/ For more about Marilyn and her upcoming shows, visit her website at http://www.marilynmaye.com